Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is a fun holiday for children, filled with religious traditions, as well as the opportunity for festive celebration. On each of the eight nights, celebrants light a special Hanukkah menorah, enjoy traditional foods, sing songs, and play traditional games. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Hanukkah and learn what it is for kids.
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What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. The holiday has been celebrated since the 2nd century B.C.E., when the Maccabees fought against the Greek-Syrians to reclaim their freedom and determined to rededicate the temple. The story of the Maccabees is recounted and honored during Hanukkah.
When is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and ending on the 2nd day of Tevet. It usually starts in either late November or the early part of December. The first night of Hanukkah is typically when the lights on the Menorah (also known as a Chanukiyah) are traditionally lit.
Symbols of Hanukkah
Hanukkah Menorah (Chanukiyah)
The Hanukkah menorah is the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. The menorah is made up of eight branches and a central ninth branch that is slightly higher than the rest. The central branch is known as the shamash and is used to light the other candles. The lighting of the menorah each night is a tradition that commemorates the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.
Dreidel
A traditional game played during Hanukkah is the Dreidel game. The dreidels are four-sided spinning tops with letters inscribed on each side. Each side stands for a word: Nes for Miracle, Gimmel for Grand Prize, Hey for Half Prize, and Shin for Put in a stake. The dreidels act as spinning luck charms with the four sides connecting with the miracle of little oil lasting for eight days. Players spin the dreidel, looking to eventually win the grand prize.
Latkes
One of the traditional foods eaten during Hanukkah is Latkes. Latkes are small, fried potato pancakes. Eating latkes commemorates the miracle of oil lasting for eight days, as the oil was used to fry the potato pancakes.
In summary, Hanukkah is an eight-day religious festival that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about Jewish traditions, learn new culinary dishes, and play games. It’s a joyous holiday that brings friends and family together to celebrate the miracle that took place many years ago.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.