Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an 8-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a time of coming together with family and friends and sharing in spiritual and cultural traditions. Celebrating each night of Hanukkah is a way to deepen our appreciation for the holiday’s meaning and remembered triumphs.
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Day 1 – The Lighting of the Menorah
The first challenge when it comes to organizing a Hanukkah celebration is the Menorah. The Menorah, or Hanukiah, is a commonly associated symbol of Hanukkah that contains nine branches (including the shamash) and is lit at nightfall. When lighting the first candle of Hanukkah all of the blessings and prayers should be said in order, and can be found in books or online.
Day 2 – Play Dreidel
The dreidel, or sevivon in Hebrew, has been part of Hanukkah for centuries. A four-sided spinning top inscribed with the letters “N-G-H-S,” which stands for the Hebrew phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (A great miracle happened there), it’s the same game of chance played during Hanukkah in Jewish villages in Eastern Europe hundreds of years ago. Each round, players bet coins or chocolate pieces which is taken by the eventual winner.
Day 3 – Eat Fried Foods
Fried foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are traditional foods that play a role in the celebration of Hanukkah. Latkes, potato pancakes with oil, is a primary Hanukkah food due to its connection to the miracle of oil. The oil represents the amount of oil that was found in the temple that burned for eight nights, a miracle that we remember with each night of Hanukkah. Sufganiyot, or fried doughnuts, are a more modern Hanukkah tradition, emerging as a food for Hanukkah in the 19th century.
Day 4 – Give Gifts
The fourth night of Hanukkah is a time to exchange presents with family and friends. While children may expect presents, it’s also a great way for adults to show appreciation for those who have been important to them over the last year or the coming year.
Day 5 – Have a Hanukkah Party
The fifth night often calls for a festive celebration like a dinner or party. Celebrating with food and friends with a Hanukkah party is a great way to commemorate the holiday and share the tradition with those who have not grown up celebrating Hanukkah. This is a great opportunity for laughter and community.
Day 6 – Strengthen Connections
The sixth night of Hanukkah is a day for deepening connections with family and friends by strengthening bonds and being grateful for each other. This can be done by sharing stories, playing games or going for a walk together.
Day 7 – Enjoy Music
The seventh night of Hanukkah is a great time to listen to traditional Hanukkah music. This can be something as simple as albums of Hanukkah songs to creating a family band and composing your own songs. Enjoying music not only connects us to Jewish tradition but creates joy and connection.
Day 8 – Give Thanks & Reflect
The final night of Hanukkah is a day of thanks and reflection. We are thankful for the miracles, the freedom and the Jewish community. We can come together to discuss our journey with Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple.
Hanukkah is a special time of year and it can be meaningful to celebrate each of its 8 nights in unique and special ways. From lighting the menorah and playing dreidel, to sharing fried foods, giving gifts and reflecting on the journey, there is no shortage of ways to observe each night’s unique traditions and keep Hanukkah alive.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.