Hanukkah is an important Jewish festival celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem. During the eight days of this holiday, Jews observe a number of customs and traditions, many of which revolve around special symbols that have come to represent the celebration. From the Menorah to the Dreidel and gelt, these symbols have become an important part of the Hanukkah celebration.
The Menorah
The menorah is a candelabrum with eight branches and is arguably the most prominent symbol of Hanukkah. During the festival, the menorah is lit for each night of the holiday with a special ninth candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other branches. This is done to commemorate the ‘miracle of the oil’ that is believed to have occurred when the Jewish Temple was rededicated. When the Jews sought to rekindle the temple’s menorah only one jar of pure oil was found which, according to legend, was enough to fuel its light for eight days.
The Dreidel
The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top traditionally used in the festivities. Each side of the dreidel is inscribed with the initial letters of the Hebrew phrase ‘Nes Gadol Hayah Sham’, which translates as ‘a great miracle happened there’. Dreidel games are commonly played amongst friends and family, where participants compete to win the other’s portion of gelt.
Gelt
Gelt is a type of money consisting of coins or chocolate coins that are given as gifts and used to play dreidel games. Originally, Hanukkah gelt was real gold coins given to children by their parents, however, nowadays it typically consists of chocolate coins or toys. Gelt is frequently used as a teaching tool to explain the value of charity and to encourage children to donate part of their gelt to charity.
Hanukkah is a festival that is marked by a number of thoughtful and meaningful symbols, such as the menorah, dreidel and gelt. Each of these holds a special meaning in the celebration of the holiday, either through the lessons it teaches, the rituals it upholds or the memories it brings to mind. Through the use of these symbols, Hanukkah seeks to remind us of the miracles that can happen and promote the value of faith, hope, charity and history in our lives.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.