The reasons this holiday lasts so long. ... It contained only enough oil to light for one day, yet a miracle happened and they used it to light for eight days. .... This version explains that Hanukkah was a belated celebration of the fall festival of Sukkot, because the Jews had not been able to celebrate that holiday during wartime. read more
Having eight days of Hannukah is as a parallel to the eight days of Sukkot (including Shemini Atzeret). This connection may also inform two related matters. One is a passage in the First Book of the Maccabees that refers to Sukkot as the holiday of independence, thus mirroring itself back onto Hanukkah. read more
To: Rich in Maine All Jewish holidays are always on the same date on the Jewish calendar, which is not perfectly aligned with the modern secular calendar. That's why Chanukah, for example, will usually be on different dates year to year. read more