Tradition: The holiday of Hanukkah begins on Kislev 25. On this date in 164 BCE Judah Maccabee conquered Jerusalem and purified the Temple. The Hasmoneans found a small cruse of oil that would not burn for even a single day, but miraculously lasted for eight days. These eight days are commemorated by the kindling of lights It is customary to eat foods prepared in oil - donuts and potato pancakes ("latkes"), and to play with spinning tops ("dreldels").

Sign of the Zodiak: The (Centaur) Archer.

In nature: many annual plants sprout.

Written by Dr. Dov Herman, Bar-Ilan University.

The stamp was issued in 2002, one of 12 stamps dedicated to the months of The Hebrew Calendar. Designer: Miri Sofer. Zodiak sign stamp issued 1961, designer: I. Blaushild.