Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy and celebration during the darkest part of the year. Every winter we celebrate the miracle of the Maccabees and marvel at the small amount of oil that somehow burned for 8 long days. In daily recognition of this miracle, each night we light an additional candle, lit by the shamus or helper candle. As we approach the final night of the holiday, the Menorah is aglow with the light of 8 candles, and the loyal shamus stands proudly aside, reviewing its work.
