On this day, Rabbi Schneur Zalman, first leader of Chabad Lubavitch was released from prison. This day is celebrated as the 'Rosh Hashana' of Chasidism.

Chanukah will take place this year from the evening of December 20th to the 28th.

On Chanukah, we celebrate the miraculous victory of the small Macabee army over the big Syrian army. When the Jewish People then went into the the Beit Hamikdash-Holy Temple, and were preparing to light the Menorah, they only found one jug with enough oil to light the Menorah for one day. A miracle happened: The oil burned for 8 days until new oil arrived. We celebrate these miracles by lighting our Menorah every night of Chanukah.

Some rules of the Menorah:
The Chanukah Lights are lit in the evenings preceding each of the eight nights of Chanukah beginning with Tuesday evening, December 20.

What follows is a brief, step-by-step guide to Chanukah observance:

* Both men and women are obligated to light the Menorah as it’s placed on a windowsill facing a public through-fare. Many have the custom to place the menorah in a doorway opposite the side of the mezuzah, so that the two Mitzvot of mezuzah and Chanukah surround the person.

* We use candles or olive oil with cotton wicks. The lamps or candles must contain enough fuel, at the time of the lighting, to burn until half an hour after nightfall.

* The lamps or candles should be arranged in a straight row and should be of equal height. The Shamash - the "servant" candle that kindles the other lights - should be placed apart from the rest (higher, outside the row, etc.).

* Start preparing your candles from the right; this way you put the "older" candles in first. When you light them, you start from the left: you light the "new" candle first.

* Before lighting the Menorah recite the Chanukah Blessings On the first night of Chanukah one light is kindled on the right side of the Menorah, on the following night add a second light to the left of the first and kindle the new light first proceeding from left to right, and so on each night.

* Make sure to light your Menorah before Shabbat candles on Friday night and after making Havdalah on Saturday night.