Search results
Get all the details on the holiday here. 1. Lighting the menorah. The menorah was a seven-branched candelabra that lit the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. It was lit only by specially, ritually-pure olive oil — olive oil that took more than a week to prepare.
Nov 30, 2021 · The British Jewish community celebrate Hanukah in a way that borrows traditions from the US as well as Israel.
- Nathan Abrams
- Elizabeth Yuko
- Lighting a Menorah. Back in the second century, after a small band of Jewish warriors known as the Maccabees managed to overthrow the Greek-Syrians and reclaim the ancient temple in Jerusalem, they found a single container of oil: enough to keep the candelabrum (also known as a “menorah” or a “Hanukkiyah”) lit for one day, Skloot explains.
- Displaying a Lit Menorah. A lit menorah in a home. One of the essential aspects of the celebration, Skloot says, is publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah, when one day’s worth of oil provided eight days of light.
- Playing Dreidel. The first known mentions of playing dreidel in Jewish writings come from the 18th century. Along with the menorah, a simple toy top known as a “dreidel” is one of the most-recognizable items associated with Hanukkah.
- Giving Out Gelt. Firefighters in Newport Beach, CA drop gelt in the form of chocolate coins from atop their ladder truck. One of the earliest mentions of giving people gelt (the Yiddish word for “money”) during Hanukkah came in the 16th century, and referred to the Italian and Sefardic tradition of collecting money to buy or make clothing for poor pupils in the local schools.
- Laurie Budgar
- Lighting the Hanukkah candles. To commemorate the oil that miraculously lasted for eight days, modern-day Jewish families recite blessings and light candles on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
- Blessings. As the menorah candles are lit each night, there are three special blessings. Two are said for each of the eight nights, while one is said only for the first night.
- Eating potato pancakes and jelly donuts. Walk into a Jewish kitchen during Hanukkah and you’re likely to inhale the delicious aroma of latkes, aka potato-and-onion pancakes fried in oil.
- Playing dreidel games. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top used in games of chance during Hanukkah. Carved into or stamped onto every side is one of four Hebrew letters: nun, gimel, hey or shin.
- Hanukkiah. The most famous symbol of Hanukkah is the hanukkiah, the nine-branched candelabra which is lit each night, and can often be seen in house windows.
- Shammash. A ninth candle (placed in the centre of the hanukkiah) is used to light all the others and is known as the shammash or helper candle. Either a wax candle or oil-fuelled lights can be used, traditionally olive oil.
- Dreidel (or sevivon) A dreidel or sevivon is a type of spinning top which has Hebrew letters inscribed on each of the four sides. Together, the letters create an acronym for the phrase ‘A great miracle happened there’ (Nes Gadol Haya Sham).
- Hanukkah ‘gelt’ Hanukkah gelt means ‘Hanukkah money’ in Yiddish. Families often give children chocolate coins as a small present each night, although some might receive real money or other gifts.
Nov 4, 2022 · 1. Light the Menorah. The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
People also ask
How do you celebrate Hanukkah?
What is the symbol of Hanukkah?
What is a Hanukkah shamash?
What does Hanukkah mean in Judaism?
Dec 7, 2023 · Hanukkah, or Chanukah in Hebrew, is the Jewish festival of light. The festival lasts for eight days and this year it starts on Thursday 7 December. Find out more about it with Newsround's guide.
