Chanukah begins on Sunday night! For eight days and nights, Jewish families worldwide will celebrate the wonderous story of Judah and the Maccabees, and recreate the miracle of the little jug of oil that was supposed to burn for one day, instead lasting for eight days and nights.

Jewish Treats, the blog for the National Jewish Outreach Program, asked yesterday, “Chanukah - What’s the Mitzvah?” (mitzvah is a good deed. )While we’re supposed to be merry and eat yummy, fattening foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts fried in oil, lighting Chanukah candles is the most important aspect. Not only are we obligated to light candles on the menorah for eight nights, but we’re supposed to publicize it as well. This is why we’re taught to leave our menorahs in a window, where someone from the outside can see it and share in the beauty and glow of the candles.

Last year, a bit of controversy arose from burning Chanukah candles. A group who called themselves “Green Hanukkia” were asking people to burn one less candle for Chanukah. They stated that, since one candle burns about 15 grams of carbon dioxide (a tiny amount on it’s own), collectively it creates a significant  CO2 release. Let’s just say that the idea of compromising the most important part of Chanukah did not sit well with many people - and while I’ve tried to search for this group’s efforts this season, I have not been able to find any sign of them.

Green Hanukkia did spark something, however - how can one make Chanukah greener regarding candles? One way to green your Chanukah is to use beeswax candles instead of regular paraffin wax - they burn cleaner and come from a renewable energy source. I asked my six year-old daughter about the candle controversy yesterday, since she’s been eating and sleeping Chanukah for weeks. What about an electric menorah? Wouldn’t that be easier? I knew the answer was no, since you’re essentially replacing CO2 with wasting energy from the plug-in version. She explained it a different way, and very clearly. An electric menorah is not valid for Chanukah (my words), and that you’re not “doing Chanukah the right way” (her words) if you don’t burn candles. So there!

There are many other ways to make your Chanukah more sustainable, while still basking in the glow of holiday. GreenYour, a wonderful new eco-site, has a thorough and truly inspiring article about greening Chanukah, from composting dinner to presents to yes, the candles. While I don’t agree with everything they feature (I believe that Chanukah bushes are in no way part of the Chanukah celebration, for example), it’s a great resource for rounding out your Chanukah celebrations.