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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.
In Jewish tradition, Hanukkah is only a minor celebration, but it has become one of the most recognised and celebrated worldwide by families across the world. It has become as important as Passover and Purim for Jewish families and is built upon the story of the Maccabean revolt.
- 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.
- 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 30, 2021 · The British Jewish community celebrate Hanukah in a way that borrows traditions from the US as well as Israel.
- Nathan Abrams
Dec 11, 2017 · There's lots of history behind favorite Hanukkah traditions such as eating latkes, lighting candles and playing with dreidels.
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The most important of all Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of the menorah each evening. Also known as the Hanukkah lamp, the menorah recalls the Temple lampstand and is a simple or elaborate candelabra with eight branches plus a holder for the shammash (“servant”) candle that is used to light the other eight candles.
