Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated yearly for eight nights and nine days, typically beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and is celebrated with family, food, and fun. During this time, families commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian armies in 165 B.C. Meaning “dedication”, the victory is remembered and commemorated in different ways as explained below.
Lights & Candles
One of the most tenacious symbols of this holiday are the eight Hanukkah lights. Each night of the eight-day celebration, one candle is lit on the Hanukkah menorah. For this reason, Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. Each night, another candle is added, until all eight candles are lit. The ninth candle called the shamash, is used as a helper to light the other eight candles.
Meals
Traditionally, Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah with foods fried in oil. This tradition references the Hanukkah miracle, in which a single, one-day supply of oil burned for 8 days in the temple. Delicious latkes, made of potatoes, matzo, and whole grain cereals, as well as donuts are common foods eaten during this special time of celebration.
Gifts and money
Children of the family traditionally receive gifts or money called “Hanukkah gelt”; many families practice both. Children often spend their Hanukkah gelt gambling with a game called, dreidel. The game involves a four-sided spinning top, each side featuring a cleverly designed Hebrew letter.
Hanukkah is a joyous religious celebration that is filled with family, friends, and tradition. By enjoying the foods of the holiday, lighting the lights of the menorah, and the exchanging of gifts and money, Hanukkah is remembered in meaningful ways that will continue for centuries to come.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.