How do you explain Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Syrian army. It also celebrates a miracle that happened during this time, where just a day’s supply of oil allowed the menorah (Hanukkiah or Hanukkah Menorah) in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem to remain lit for eight days.
What are 3 traditions of Hanukkah?
In another allusion to the Hanukkah miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Potato pancakes (known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are particularly popular in many Jewish households. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and exchanging gifts.
What does gelt mean?
One thing that every Hanukkah celebration has in common is the gelt. The word “gelt” means “money” in both Hebrew and Yiddish. Chocolate gelt are the chocolate coins that are typically given to children during Hanukkah. Jewish or not, you’ve probably seen the familiar mesh bags with the shiny wrappers inside.
Where is the original menorah?
Temple in Jerusalem
What are 3 interesting facts about Hanukkah?
12 Facts About Hanukkah You Probably Didn’t Know
- What is Hanukkah?
- Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, to commemorate how long the holy light burned.
- A Menorah is lit each night of the holiday.
- Gifts were not always given for Hanukkah.
- Hanukkah dishes are fried for a reason.
What do families do on Hanukkah?
Many modern Jewish families celebrate by lighting the hanukkiah. One candle per night of Hanukkah is lit, like Hebrew is read, from right to left. People might also play dreidel games and eat certain foods like sufganiyot (similar to jelly donuts) and latkes (fried potato pancakes).
Is it OK to say Happy Hanukkah?
What is the proper greeting for Hanukkah? To wish someone a Happy Hanukkah, say “Hanukkah Sameach!” (Happy Hanukkah) or simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday). Or if you want to show off your Hebrew skills, say “Chag Urim Sameach!” (urim means “lights”).
What do the 7 branches of the menorah represent?
The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.
What is the shamash?
Shammash, also spelled shamash or shammas (Hebrew: “servant”), plural shammashim, shamashim, or shammasim, salaried sexton in a Jewish synagogue whose duties now generally include secretarial work and assistance to the cantor, or hazan, who directs the public service.
How do you play with dreidels?
Every player puts one in the pot after every turn. Each player spins the dreidel once during their turn. Depending on which side is facing up when the dreidel stops spinning, the player either gives or takes game pieces from the pot. If נ (nun) is facing up, the player does nothing.
What is the first night of Hanukkah called?
Chanukah
What is Hanukkah for kids?
Hanukkah (also Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. The word Hanukkah means rededication. Every year, the celebration honors the hard-fought victory of those trying to keep their faith despite a powerful enemy. It is an eight-day holiday that will be celebrated this year starting at sundown on December 2nd.
How do you celebrate the first night of Hanukkah?
On the first night of Hanukkah one light (candle or oil) is lit on the right side of the menorah, on the following night a second light is placed to the left of the first but it is lit first, and so on, proceeding from placing candles right to left but lighting them from left to right over the eight nights.
What do the 8 nights of Hanukkah mean?
Festival of Lights
Why do we eat donuts on Hanukkah?
On Hanukkah, Jews observe the custom of eating fried foods in commemoration of the miracle associated with the Temple oil. These sofganim were likely syrup-soaked fried cakes, akin to modern zalabiya in the Arab world.
What do we eat on Hanukkah?
Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, Jewish families like mine celebrate by eating latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (fried jelly doughnuts). Notice a theme? Traditional Hanukkah foods are often fried because they’re reminders of the oil in the legendary Hanukkah story.
What is Hanukkah story?
Hanukkah commemorates a historical event that took place in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, when the Seleucid Greek empire was the ruling power. In 168 BCE, the king Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Jewish practice and defiled the Jewish Temple in the city by installing an altar to Zeus Olympios and sacrificing pigs.
How do you explain Kwanzaa to a child?
Kwanzaa is a celebration that started in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s. It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest.
What games do you play on Hanukkah?
15 Festive Hanukkah Games for All Ages
- Dreidel. Moms and Crafters. There is no more classic Hanukkah game than dreidel.
- Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt. annuokaGetty Images.
- Hanukkah Drinking Game. BigDotOfHappiness etsy.com.
- Latke Counting Game.
What are Hanukkah symbols?
Dreidel, latkes and more: Six words to explore the Hanukkah story and traditions
- 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.
- Dreidel (or sevivon)
- Hanukkah ‘gelt’
- Fried food.
- Maccabees.
Does the Star of David mean?
The star was almost universally adopted by Jews in the 19th-century as a striking and simple emblem of Judaism in imitation of the cross of Christianity. The yellow badge that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi-occupied Europe invested the Star of David with a symbolism indicating martyrdom and heroism.
What is the most important Hanukkah observance?
The celebration of Hanukkah includes a variety of religious and nonreligious customs. The most important of all is the lighting of the menorah, a candelabra with eight branches plus a holder for the shammash (“servant”) candle that is used to light the other eight candles.
What is the middle candle on a menorah called?
Shamash
Why are there 9 candles on a menorah?
The ninth lamp is called a shamash, a “servator,” and it symbolically differentiates the eight holy flames from other, mundane light sources. It is usually used to light the other eight.
Why are latkes served with applesauce?
Applesauce is light and fruity, and when eaten on top of a piping-hot fried potato and onion latke, is a sweet and savory dream for your taste buds. The applesauce conceals the oiliness of the potato, while creating an explosion of fall food flavors in your mouth.
What is the traditional meal for Hanukkah?
During the Hanukkah holiday, families eat latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (round jelly doughnuts), and other foods to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights.
What are the four symbols on a dreidel?
A dreidel is a spinning top with four sides, each inscribed with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew letters inscribed on a dreidel are a Nun, Gimel, Hey or Chai, and Shin.
What is the light festival?
A winter light festival is one of several annual events organized in different part of the world and among different cultures, to celebrate the end of the winter and the beginning of the light seasons with art workshops, light designs, live music and street food.