Jewish Festival of Lights is here

KOCHI: The sixth annual celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, reverberating  with the rich Jewish tradition, began on Tuesday. The festival is also called the festival of lights and will witness lighting a new candle every day for eight days until the full menorah is lit. Hanukkah has its roots in a revolution against Greek oppressors, by the Jews led by Mattathias the Hasmonean, 2000 years ago. The Talmud records that at the rededication of the temple after the revolt, there was only enough oil to burn in the Temple Menorah for a day. However, it burned for eight days until new oil was sanctified. The holiday is observed in celebration of the miracle of the oil and the permanence of the Jewish tradition.  The Koder House in Fort Kochi will be hosting the festival.