Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight nights by millions around the world. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a successful military victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Greeks. The miraculous story behind the holiday is part of the core of the faith for many Jewish families.
Jewish faith is the primary faith that celebrates Hanukkah, and typically the practice is observed by practicing Jewish families and communities. Each night of the festival revolves around a lighting of the Menorah, a nine-candle lampstand in which the middle shamash candle is used to light the other eight. This is done while blessings are said and a special Hanukkah prayer is recited. Other Hanukkah activities may also be practiced, such as singing, eating traditional holiday food, and exchanging gifts.Hanukkah Rituals and Traditions
The Menorah
The most recognizable symbol of the holiday is the menorah. It is typically lit at dusk in the window of the home, representing the miracle of how a single day’s worth of oil was found to last for eight nights in the Temple. As such, one candle is lit on the first night and two on the second, and so forth, until all eight candles are lit.
The Dreidel
The dreidel is a spinning top with four Hebrew letters emblazoned on it: Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin, which are an acronym for the phrase, “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there.” The dreidel is traditionally used to play games with small candies or treats during the Hanukkah celebration.
The Hanukkah celebration is not limited to Jewish families and can be observed by people from other faiths with sympathy and respect for the Jewish holiday.
In summary, Hanukkah is an important holiday celebrated by Jews worldwide. It is a time to remember the courage of the Maccabees and the miraculous story behind the holiday. Many family rituals and traditions are part of the Hanukkah celebration, including the lighting of the Menorah and playing with the Dreidel. While the holiday is traditionally celebrated by those of the Jewish faith, it can also be appreciated by people of other faiths with respect and compassion.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.