Hanukkah is a festival of light that is celebrated by Jewish people around the world. It signifies the miracle of the Maccabees overcoming the Syrian Empire in 165 BCE, and serves as a reminder that freedom of religion is a basic human right. During the week-long holiday, Jewish people honor their tradition by lighting the menorah and playing dreidel, exchanging gifts, and, of course, eating lots of greasy delicious foods such as latkes and doughnuts. Here is a detailed description of Hanukkah traditions.
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Lighting the Menorah
The most public Hanukkah tradition is the lighting of the menorah. This involves placing a nine-candle holder (called a menorah) on your window sill or another easily visible part of your home. Every night of the eight days, an extra candle is lit, beginning on the first night with one light and ending on the eighth night with nine lights. The ninth candle is used to light the other candles, and should be the first to light the menorah. During this time, it is common for people to gather around the menorah and recite appropriate prayers and blessings.
Spinning the Dreidel
Spinning the dreidel is a familiar Hanukkah game, much loved by children. A four-sided top, or “dreidel,” is spun, and whichever Hebrew letter appears on the top left when it stops determines the winner or loser. A small prize, a nut, a piece of candy, or money called “gelt” can be given to the winner. As the dreidel is spun, the soft melody of the traditional Hanukkah song comes to life.
Exchanging Gifts
Gift-giving is an important part of Hanukkah, and is traditionally done by parents. One of the most common gifts are Hanukkah gelt, which are usually coins made of chocolate. Since the holiday is so closely tied to the Maccabees’ victory, which was largely achieved through military might, it is common for Jewish boys to receive a toy soldier or other military-related toy and girls a doll. Other popular gifts include books, clothing, and, of course, presents that involve food.
Eating Traditional Hanukkah Foods
Hanukkah is often seen as the “festival of oil,” and as such, many traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. The most popular of these foods are latkes, which are little pancakes made from mashed potatoes and onions and fried in oil, and sufganiyot, which are deep-fried doughnuts usually filled with jelly or custard. Together, these foods help to memorialize the miracle of oil that kept the Holy Temple in Jerusalem lit for eight days.
Hanukkah is a time of joyous celebration. While there are many ways to observe the holiday, lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel, exchanging gifts, and eating traditional Hanukkah foods are some of the most widely practiced traditions. No matter how they choose to celebrate, the spirit of Hanukkah lingers in the air, bringing with it the message of courage, hope, and renewal.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.