▷ Why Jelly Donuts For Hanukkah?

Jelly donuts, or sufganiyot, are a celebrated Hanukkah treat. But why those particular donuts? Here we explain why jelly donuts are so particular to the celebration of Hanukkah – and why you should give them a try!

The Hanukkah Story

The festival of Hanukkah celebrates an ancient Jewish victory over the Hellenist Syrians in 167 BCE. During the eight day festival, Jews commemorate the event with a candelabra, called a menorah, which is lit and prayed over, and gifts of oil, the traditional fuel that kept the menorah burning for eight days during the original event.

The Jelly Donut Connection

As for why jelly donuts are so closely associated with Hanukkah – the origin of the connection goes all the way back to 18th century Germany. In 1888, a Bavarian rabbi noted that the Hebrew word “sufganiyah” (meaning “sponge”), together with its custom of eating fried doughnuts, suggested that fried doughnuts could be a fitting way to remember the miracle of the oil. He declared that from then on, Jewish people should eat jelly donuts on Hanukkah.

Of course, the jelly in inside the donut is a perfect metaphor for oil, the fuel which the ancient Jews used. As generations passed, jelly donuts began to become a symbol for Hanukkah, and Jews in other countries adopted the practice.

Today, fried jelly donuts, or sufganiyot, remain an important and traditional part of Hanukkah, due to its symbolic role of commemorating the oil-based miracle.

Biting Into Hanukkah Tradition

What could be more meaningful than biting into a sufganiyah during Hanukkah? Not only are these donuts of delicious, but they also carry with them a delicious and powerful symbolism. Whether it is enjoyed on the festival or given as gifts to friends and family, making jelly donuts for Hanukkah is sure to be a meaningful experience.

In sum, jelly donuts are a joyful way to commemorate an ancient miracle in Jewish history. Eating jelly donuts, or sufganiyot, during Hanukkah has become an important and beloved tradition that does not only taste great, but also gives us the opportunity to remember the important events of Jewish history.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.