Hanukkah is a widely celebrated Jewish holiday that falls on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. It is a festival of lights and is observed for eight days in total. During this period, Jews commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miraculous oil that kept the menorah burning for eight days. During this time, Jews observe Hanukkah in a variety of ways, from holiday celebrations to family-oriented activities.
Celebrating Hanukkah
The primary ritual of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, which symbolizes the restoration of light in the temple after its rededication. This is usually done in the synagogue or the home, and is typically accompanied by the reading of blessings and prayers.
Hanukkah is also celebrated with special foods and activities that are inspired by the story of the holiday. A traditional Hanukkah dinner consists of heated potatoes, fried in oil to remind of the miracle that occurred. Other popular traditional foods include cheese pancakes (latkes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). Eating these foods is often accompanied with plays, songs and stories about the Maccabees.
Gifts & Games
During Hanukkah, Jews often exchange small gifts and enjoy playing games together. Gelt, coins made of chocolate, is a fun traditions, and can be used to play the game dreidel, which an ancient gambling game consisting of a top with four sides. A classic Hanukkah game is “guess the Hanukkah object,” in which players must guess which items are related to the holiday.
Family & Friends
Though gatherings may vary depending on the household, most Jews take time to connect with family and friends during the holiday. This could include special dinners, karaoke parties, movie nights, and anything else families and friends can come up with to create special moments to remember.
Hanukkah is a time for Jewish people to celebrate the Miracle that occurred a long time ago and treasure the customs and culture that has been kept alive over thousands of years. For eight days, they commemorate this miracle with a wide variety of activities and traditions. From lighting the menorah to exchanging small gifts, playing dreidel to family gatherings, they create moments to remember for generations to come.
By honoring the customs and traditions of Hanukkah, Jews guarantee that the memories of the past remain alive in the future, and that they can continue to protect and celebrate the miracle that happened so long ago.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.