The festival of Hanukkah – also known as the Festival of Lights – is celebrated by Jews and others of the Jewish faith all around the world. One of the most important parts of the celebration are the eight gifts that each participant receives during Hanukkah. Here is an overview of the tradition and the associated gifts.
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Overview of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival celebrating the Maccabees’ successful re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This happened after years of persecution and fighting by the Syrian-Greeks against the Jewish people. The Maccabees’ victory reclaimed the Temple for the Jews and marks a critical turning point in the history of the Jewish faith.
The Story Behind the 8 Gifts of Hanukkah
The eight-day holiday celebrates the miracle that happened during the dedication of the Second Temple in 165 BCE during the Hanukkah festival. At the time, only enough sacramental oil had been found to last for the first day of the Festival of Lights. Miraculously, the small amount of oil lasted a total of eight days — the amount of time needed to make more oil. In memory of this miracle, each day of the holiday new gifts are gifted to commemorate the event.
The 8 Gifts of Hanukkah
The eight gifts traditionally associated with Hanukkah have religious, historical, and meaningful connections to the holiday – with each gift symbolizing a different aspect of the Festival of Lights.
#1: Money (Tzedakah)
Each day of the holiday, families donate money to charities or organizations – usually giving it to children of Jewish faith or other charitable organizations. This is motivated by the tradition of performing acts of charity and justice during Hanukkah.
#2: Gelt
The modern gift of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil is given to children as part of the tradition. This is commonly referred to as “Hanukkah Gelt” or “Chanukah Gelt” and is meant to symbolize the Maccabees’ struggle for Jewish financial liberty.
#3: Dreidels
Another traditional Hanukkah gift is a dreidel – a four-sided spinning top. Each side is inscribed with a Hebrew letter. The game of the dreidel symbolizes Judah Maccabee’s cunning intelligence in the battle with the Syrian-Greeks.
#4: Menorah Candles
Each day of Hanukkah, an additional candle on the Menorah candlestick is lit. This is to remind each participant of the miracle of the Menorah in the Temple.
#5: Latkes
Latkes are potato pancakes that are fried in oil. This is a reminder of how the Maccabees rededicated the Temple when they found a single cruse of oil, enough to last for eight days.
#6: Donuts
Just like latkes, donuts are also fried in oil to remember the miracle of the Menorah and the oil that lasted for eight days.
#7: Sufganiyot
Sufganiyot is a fried jelly doughnut, which is very popular in Israel during Hanukkah. The doughnut is served as a special festive treat and remembered for its oil-centered cooking.
#8: Apples and Honey
Apples and honey are an important part of celebrating Hannukah. The sweet treat is ingested to signify the hope that God will grant the Jewish people a sweet and peaceful year whatever may come.
In remembering the Festival of Lights and the miracle of the oil, the eight gifts have been passed down for thousands of years. Through giving and receiving gifts during Hanukkah, each participant is reminded of the light and love that are at the heart of the holiday.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.