Hanukkah is a time of celebration and joy, filled with traditions and rituals. Celebrating Hanukkah at home can be a special time filled with delicious food, flickering lights, and meaningful traditions. Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, Hanukkah at home is a wonderful way to remember the miracles of the past and pass on the spirit of the holiday to a new generation.
Hanukkah begins eight days after the start of the Hebrew month of Kislev. On the first night, families gather around the menorah (also known as the Hanukiah) and recite the traditional blessings. The menorah is lit with candles, one for each night of the holiday. Each night, an additional candle is added and the newest candle is lit first. For each of the eight nights, families celebrate with festivities such as singing, reading stories about Hanukkah, playing traditional games, and eating traditional foods.
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Lighting the Menorah
Those lighting a Hanukkah menorah must take special care to ensure that the proper order and blessings are observed. A spacious room is chosen as a makeshift synagogue, and family members gather in a circle around the menorah. It is then lit from left to right. This represents the victorious spirit of light conquering darkness. The menorah is beloved for symbolizing the miracle of Hanukkah, the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees.
Reciting Jewish Prayers and Blessings
After the proper order of lighting the candles has been followed, Jewish prayers and/or blessings are said. The blessings for Hanukkah are recited after lighting the candles each night. The traditional blessings are:
- Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
- Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu melech haolam, she-asa nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh.
These blessings are in Hebrew and are typically translated as, “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.” “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has done miracles for our ancestors at this season” respectively.
Playing Traditional Games
Playing traditional Hanukkah games is a large part of many families’ at-home celebration of the holiday. Though dreidel and gelt are classic choices, they are just scratching the surface of the wealth of Hanukkah games to enjoy together. Traditional board games, card games, word games, strategy games, and trivia games can keep the whole family playing throughout the holiday.
Enjoying Traditional Foods
In addition to the customary jelly donuts, sufganiyot, apples dipped in honey, and potato latkes, there is a long list of traditional Hanukkah foods families can enjoy. Featuring dairy-based treats such as cheese blintzes, the traditional Hanukkah dinner is a time for family and friends to come together and share in the joy and abundance of the season.
Celebrating Hanukkah at home is a beautiful way to share the joyous season of miracles with family and friends. From lighting the menorah to playing traditional games and eating delicious food, Hanukkah at home is a perfect way to remember the miracles of the past and bring that spirit and tradition into the future.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.