Next week the Island's Jewish Community will commence the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.

Hanukkah, which begins at sundown on Thursday (25 Kislev), commemorates the victory of the traditionalist Maccabees over the Hellenistic Syrians who attempted to eradicate the Jewish religion as part of their plan to Hellenic their entire kingdom.

According to the Encyclopaedia of Judaism the main events associated with the festival took place between 165 and 163 BC, therefore making Hanukkah a post-Biblical festival.

Since Hanukkah is not a full festival, there are no restrictions on work or other activities.

The main observance of the festival is the kindling of the festival lamp (hanukkayyah) each night of the holiday.

The Hanukkah lamp is an eight branched candelabrum which is ritually lit in celebration of Hanukkah.

Many lamps bear the inscription "blessed shall you be in your coming and blessed you shall be in your going'' (Deut. 28,6).

The lights of the lamp are not allowed to burn into a single flame. They must be kept distinguishable from each other.

The Talmud explained the lighting of the lamp as publicising the miracle of the holiday and said in ancient times the lamp was put in the doorway, to the left, or the street outside the house.

The lighting of the lamp takes place immediately after sundown or dark. The exception will be Friday evenings when the lighting must be done before the kindling of the Sabbath lights -- approximately half-an-hour before sunset.

Once lit, the candles are meant to burn for at least half-an-hour and must be placed in an obvious place.

The candles may also be lit any time during the night as long as someone other than the lighter will see them.

One candle will be lit on the first night of Hanukkah and one additional candle will be lit each -- going from left to right -- until the last night when all eight candles will be lit.

An additional candle called the Shammash (serving light) is used to kindle the other candles.

The lighting of the lamp is essentially a home ceremony, but candles will also be lit in Synagogues.

According to the Encyclopaedia of Judaism, Hanukkah is expressed in the liturgy in a number of ways. The most important being the introduction of the Al Ha-Nissim prayer in the Amidah and grace after meals.

Hallel will be recited daily at the morning service and there will be a special reading of the law each day of Hanukkah.

A Hanukkah hymn, Ma'oz Tsur, written in the thirteenth century is very popular at home and at the synagogue.

The Jewish Community of Bermuda's Hanukkah festivities will include a service at the Unity Centre on Reid Street on Friday, December 6. And Brian Alcan will host a Hanukkah party at the Mermaid Beach Hotel on Sunday, December 8 at 6 p.m. at a cost of $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. For more information call 291-1785.