Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 160s BCE. Also known as the Festival of Dedication, Festival of Lights, and Feast of Dedication, it is observed by lighting of a nine-branched menorah with one extra light on each of the nights of the holiday. Each of these eight nights are celebrated in various ways across Jewish communities throughout the world.
The Days of Hanukkah can be divided into four parts –Table of Contents
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The first day and the last day of the festival are the most important and are referred to as Hanukkah’s “opening” and “closing” ceremonies, though they are not necessarily celebrated on the eighth and first days respectively. On the first day of Hanukkah, family members sit together in the home and recite special prayers that thank God for the miracle of Hanukkah. After this, many traditions – such as lighting menorah candles, eating Latkes (potato pancakes) and singing songs – begin. On the eighth day of Hanukkah, the final menorah candle is lit and songs of praise are sung to thank God again for the miracle.
The Main Celebratory Days
The days that follow are when most of the Hanukkah celebrations actually take place and these days can vary in terms of customs and observances. Depending on the custom of the family, the menorah candles may be lit in different ways every night or on the same nights as when the opening and closing ceremonies are observed.
The Days of Hanukkah Customs
The traditional Hanukkah customs observed on the days of the Hanukkah festival are those of giving money to the poor, either in the form of physical coins or in the form of small Jewish coins known as Hanukkah Gelt; of playing with the traditional spinning top (Dreidel) and playing card games such as the four-player card game ‘Schafabric’; of eating special foods such as Latkes and Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts); and of saying the traditional Hanukkah prayers, which include the Hanukkah prayer – the ‘Blessing Over the Hanukkah Candle Lights.’
The Menorah
The days of the Hanukkah Festival are symbolized and celebrated by the lighting of the Chanukiyah (also known as the Hanukkah Menorah), which is a nine-branched candelabrum that has one candle for each of the eight days and a ninth that is set aside as the Shamash (or servant) candle. The candles are lit starting the first night, and the Shamash is lit first in order to use it to kindle the other candles. The Shamash candle should remain lit throughout all eight days of the festival.
All in all,Hanukkah is a festive, joyous time, where people from all over the world come together to celebrate the Festival of Lights and remember the rededication of the Second Temple. From the opening and closing ceremonies, to the traditions of playing Dreidel, giving charity, lighting the menorah, and eating special treats, the Days of Hanukkah are an exciting and wonderful time for all!
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.