Hanukkah Candle is burning now all over the world.

A Syrian-Greek king had outlawed Jewish worship. Any Jew refusing to set aside his traditional beliefs and practices was tortured and killed. With so much bloodshed, it was only a matter of time before the Hebrew nation as a whole would be wiped out.

Yet, because of the courage of a man named Mattisyahu and his five sons, most notably the second son, Judah Maccabee, a small group of Jews fought and won numerous battles. Outnumbered 100 to one, the Jews defeated the strongest Syrian armies, saving the nation and regaining possession of the temple.

Unfortunately, almost everything in the temple had been destroyed. Yet, one small flask of pure olive oil was found to light the golden candlestick. There was only enough oil for the one night -- the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev. But for eight consecutive days and nights, the oil burned.

Because of this and other miracles, Hanukkah became the celebration of national survival and religious freedom. Over the years, it has become known as the Festival of Lights, referring to the practice of lighting the candles on an eight- or nine-branched candlestick called a Menorah.

The dates for Hanukkah vary each year, and are determined by the Hebrew calendar. This year Hanukkah began last night, December 11, at sunset, and will continue through sunset on December 18.

Synagogues in metropolitan areas, such as Temple Beth Israel in Fresno, have scheduled festivities which are open to the public, including a holiday bazaar and a potato latke cook-off. In smaller communities, Hanukkah is celebrated in private homes with families and possibly a few invited guests.

Mary Hoffman, educator at Congregation Etz Chaim, spoke mostly of religious freedom. With both Jews and Christians in her family, festivities will vary when relatives are in town. But the lighting of the Menorah is a deeply personal and important part of the holiday.

Almost every culture in the Northern Hemisphere has a holiday during the time of the winter solstice, that celebrates light, Hoffman noted.

While saying Merry Christmas to Jewish individuals doesn't usually offend them, saying one of the traditional Hanukkah greetings is appreciated: Happy Hanukkah or Chag Sameach, which means Joyous Festival.