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Hanukkah
Although often referred to as Jewish Christmas, the holiday of Hanukkah is actually much older than Christmas. Come, grab a dreidel and learn how this minor holiday which celebrates a military victory has become so important in recent years.
Learn about the holiday. Hanukkah is about family and faith. The holiday celebrates the triumph of faith and courage over military might, the classic underdog story. The Jews were prohibited under penalty of death from studying their sacred texts or celebrating Jewish holidays. Their holy Temple had been defiled, and they were ordered to worship other gods. A small band of faithful Jews, known as the Maccabees, rose up and defeated the invaders, reclaimed the Temple, and rededicated it to God. The eternal flame in the Temple's great menorah (lamp stand) had to be lit. But the sacred olive oil needed to burn in the lamp stand took 8 days to press and purify. The Jews had only a one-day supply of oil. They decided, in faith, to light the flame anyway. And, a great miracle occurred. The Temple's great menorah continued to burn for 8 days with only a small amount of oil... the exact time it took to prepare new oil! This story is even mentioned by Josephus, the first century Jewish historian (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 12, chapter 7, sections 6 and 7). Since that time, Hanukkah has been celebrated for 8 days to recall the miracle when the menorah burned for 8 days at the Temple.
Get a Menorah.The most basic thing you need to celebrate Hanukkah is a 9-branched candelabra, called a Hannukiah (or often a Menorah, although technically a Menorah is a 7-branched candelabra), and candles. Eight of the branches represent the eight nights, while the last one (usually higher than the rest) is called the shamash or helper candle, and is used to light the rest of the candles. On the first night, the shamash is lit, a blessing is recited, and the first candle is lit. On the second night, the shamash plus two candles are lit and so on until the eighth night, when all nine branches contain lit candles. You should place the candles to the right, but you always light the left (newest) candle first. Traditionally, the lighted Hannukiah is placed near a window, so that everyone passing by can remember the miracle of Hanukkah. To avoid a fire hazard near a heavily draped window, it may be wise to place an electric Hannukia in the window and leave the fire-bearing Hannukia on a table.
Play dreidel. A four sided top, called a dreidel or sivivon is used to play a gambling game with small candies or nuts. Players get an equal amount of candies, and some are placed into a "pot" in the center. Players take turns spinning the dreidel. Each side of the dreidel bears a letter which tells the players whether to put in or take out candies. The game ends when someone has all the candies, or when the candies have all been eaten (usually the case in homes with small children!)
Give small tokens to children. Small gifts of toys or money (gelt) are given to children on each night of Hanukkah. Chocolate coins are also popular as treats and gifts during Hanukkah. Be creative with your gifts, especially as children grow older. For example, in addition to a small trinket, consider giving each child a 5 dollar blank check each night to make out to the charity of their choice. Celebrate sending these gifts to those who need a miracle in their own lives.
Eat the foods cooked in oil. Hanukkah just wouldn't be the same without the traditional latkes and applesauce. Latkes, pancakes made from shredded potatoes, onions, matzoh meal and salt, are fried in oil to crispy gold brown, then served with applesauce (and often sour cream). The frying oil reminds celebrants of the miracle of the oil. Small powdered sugar donuts, called sufgeniot are also a popular Hanukkah treat, especially in Israel.
Practice Tikun Olam Use the holiday as a chance to talk with children about what they believe in, and what it means to stand up for your beliefs. Find causes that support free speech and religious freedom, and help them to spread those messages centuries after the miracle of Hanukkah.
Learn about the holiday. Hanukkah is about family and faith. The holiday celebrates the triumph of faith and courage over military might, the classic underdog story. The Jews were prohibited under penalty of death from studying their sacred texts or celebrating Jewish holidays. Their holy Temple had been defiled, and they were ordered to worship other gods. A small band of faithful Jews, known as the Maccabees, rose up and defeated the invaders, reclaimed the Temple, and rededicated it to God. The eternal flame in the Temple's great menorah (lamp stand) had to be lit. But the sacred olive oil needed to burn in the lamp stand took 8 days to press and purify. The Jews had only a one-day supply of oil. They decided, in faith, to light the flame anyway. And, a great miracle occurred. The Temple's great menorah continued to burn for 8 days with only a small amount of oil... the exact time it took to prepare new oil! This story is even mentioned by Josephus, the first century Jewish historian (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 12, chapter 7, sections 6 and 7). Since that time, Hanukkah has been celebrated for 8 days to recall the miracle when the menorah burned for 8 days at the Temple.
Get a Menorah.The most basic thing you need to celebrate Hanukkah is a 9-branched candelabra, called a Hannukiah (or often a Menorah, although technically a Menorah is a 7-branched candelabra), and candles. Eight of the branches represent the eight nights, while the last one (usually higher than the rest) is called the shamash or helper candle, and is used to light the rest of the candles. On the first night, the shamash is lit, a blessing is recited, and the first candle is lit. On the second night, the shamash plus two candles are lit and so on until the eighth night, when all nine branches contain lit candles. You should place the candles to the right, but you always light the left (newest) candle first. Traditionally, the lighted Hannukiah is placed near a window, so that everyone passing by can remember the miracle of Hanukkah. To avoid a fire hazard near a heavily draped window, it may be wise to place an electric Hannukia in the window and leave the fire-bearing Hannukia on a table.
Play dreidel. A four sided top, called a dreidel or sivivon is used to play a gambling game with small candies or nuts. Players get an equal amount of candies, and some are placed into a "pot" in the center. Players take turns spinning the dreidel. Each side of the dreidel bears a letter which tells the players whether to put in or take out candies. The game ends when someone has all the candies, or when the candies have all been eaten (usually the case in homes with small children!)
Give small tokens to children. Small gifts of toys or money (gelt) are given to children on each night of Hanukkah. Chocolate coins are also popular as treats and gifts during Hanukkah. Be creative with your gifts, especially as children grow older. For example, in addition to a small trinket, consider giving each child a 5 dollar blank check each night to make out to the charity of their choice. Celebrate sending these gifts to those who need a miracle in their own lives.
Eat the foods cooked in oil. Hanukkah just wouldn't be the same without the traditional latkes and applesauce. Latkes, pancakes made from shredded potatoes, onions, matzoh meal and salt, are fried in oil to crispy gold brown, then served with applesauce (and often sour cream). The frying oil reminds celebrants of the miracle of the oil. Small powdered sugar donuts, called sufgeniot are also a popular Hanukkah treat, especially in Israel.
Practice Tikun Olam Use the holiday as a chance to talk with children about what they believe in, and what it means to stand up for your beliefs. Find causes that support free speech and religious freedom, and help them to spread those messages centuries after the miracle of Hanukkah.
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