From December 22 to 30 Jews Celebrate Hanukkah

On December 22, 2019 Jews begin celebrating Hanukkah - the Festival of Lights. Every night during the eight-day holiday (till December 30, 2019) a candle in a special menorah is lit in all synagogues and in every Jewish house. Every year at Central Sofia Synagogue after 5:40 pm the first candle is lit by someone respected by the Jewish community and a blessing is read. The holiday reminds us of the miracle that happened in 3597 (165-167 BC) when the Jews gained their freedom and the temple was once again lit up – a cruse of pure olive oil which was enough to light the menorah for one day lit it for 8 days. Thus, the Jews were able to prepare pure oil for the candlestick. During the 8-day holiday the Jews eat oil-based foods such as jelly doughnuts (sufganiot) and potato pancakes (latkes) to commemorate the miracle of the menorah oil.