chonnika, the "celebration" of good gas mileage.
Never heard that one. Little help?
Supposedly the candles represent a lamp that burned for days without refilling the oil.
They had plenty of oil, it was just considered tainted because non jews had been near the oil. It's an 8 day cleansing ritual/spell which is how they get to that number. I'm pretty sure the rabbi was refilling them at night. They lie to everyone, even themselves.