hanukkah is a jewish celebration that promotes jewish beliefs and celebrates the rededication of the second temple of jerusalem by burning lights on each day of the season.kislev 25 marks the start of jewish festivities or december 25th. hanukkah is celebrated all around the world, wherever there are jews. judas maccabeus found a container of oil that had not been polluted by antiochus iv epiphanes. the jar barely had enough oil to last one day, but the oil miraculously burned for eight days. rituals for hanukkah include lighting one candle on the menorah each day and giving gifts to children. non-religious practices include eating sweets cooked in oil and playing the dreidel game with family and friends, as well as giving children money.