Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday celebrated annually for eight days and nights during the Hebrew month of Kislev. This joyous festival commemorates although the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem and the miraculous burning of a one-day supply of olive oil for 8 days. Hanukkah is widely celebrated with friends and family by lighting the Hanukkah Candles, playing the traditional games of Dreidel and indulging in festive foods.
Light the Hanukkah Candles
The Hanukkah Menorah, or Hanukkiah, is a nine candle holder with the ninth, center candle called the Shamash used to light the other 8 candles. Each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit starting from one on the first night, and progressing to eight candles on the final night. The candles are ideally lit just after sunset and placed in a window facing the street to publically display the lights of the holiday. The traditional blessings, Hebrew songs, and stories accompany the lighting ceremony.
Play the Dreidel Game
The Dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, traditionally used during Hanukkah. Each side of the Dreidel displays one of the Hebrew characters Nun, Gimmel, Hay, and Shin. According to ancient legend, the four sides of the dreidel represent the miracles that the Maccabees encountered during their battle against the Greeks. The Dreidel game is commonly played with pennies, chocolate coins or gelt, dried nuts, or other small trinkets. Each player places an equal amount of the items into the “pot” and takes turns spinning the Dreidel. Depending on the letter landed on, each player can either put chips into the pot, or take chips from the pot. The winner is the player with the most chips at the end of the game.
Enjoy Delicious Hanukkah Foods
The table at Hanukkah is laden with many sumptuous local favorites such as latkes, sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), kugel, and chulent. Latkes, small pancakes usually made from potatoes, are traditionally served as a part of the Hanukkah meal. Sufganiyot are small, deep-fried doughnut balls stuffed with jam, jelly or custard and rolling in sugar. They are especially popular in Israel during the holiday season. Kugel is a traditional Jewish side dish made of noodles, potatoes, cheese, or vegetables cooked in hot ovens. Chulent is a favorite Hanukkah stew made of potatoes, onion, beans, and meat served over fluffy boiled grains.
Hanukkah is all about spending quality time with family, lighting the menorah, enjoying delicious festival food, and having fun with traditions. The goal of Hanukkah is to keep the Jewish faith alive and celebrate the miracles of the past. Wherever you celebrate this festive time of the year, cherish the special moments and create wonderful memories with family and friends!
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.