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Also known as the “Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple. When Jews light the eight candles of the menorah on the eight nights of Hanukkah, they recite a prayer extolling God who “performed miracles for our ancestors in days of old.”Aug 12, 2021.
What do the 7 candles of Hanukkah mean?
The seven lamps depict the branches of human knowledge that are represented by six lamps inclined inwards towards, guided by, the light of God which is represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolises the creation in seven days, centre light representing the Sabbath.
What do the 8 days of Hanukkah stand for?
Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. The eight-day holiday celebrates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after it was retaken by the Maccabees, a group of Jewish warriors, from the Greeks in the 2nd century BCE, as explained by Tablet magazine.
What’s the Hanukkah candle called?
The defining characteristic of a Hanukkah menorah is eight lights in a row, with a ninth lamp off to the side or above, separated from the other eight. The ninth lamp is called a shamash, a “servator,” and it symbolically differentiates the eight holy flames from other, mundane light sources.
What are 3 interesting facts about Hanukkah?
Hanukkah: 8 facts to know about the holiday, from the menorah oil to the history and food Hanukkah lasts for eight nights to commemorate how long the holy light burned. A menorah is lit each night of the holiday. The word ‘Hanukkah’ means ‘dedication’ The many spellings. The dreidel is based on a German gambling game.
What gifts are given for Hanukkah?
Keep it Traditional Traditional Hanukkah gifts such as gelt, or “coins” are often given during the Festival of Lights. Menorahs, dreidels, and candles come readily to mind, too. If you’re looking for something traditional that isn’t quite so personal, consider practical items for the home.
Does Jews celebrate Christmas?
Although the Jews do not celebrate Christmas, this holiday season sometimes overlaps with the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah.
What are Hanukkah traditions?
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.
Do Hanukkah candles stay lit?
Candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes before being extinguished, although, many will prefer to let candles burn until they extinguish themselves. The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, and preferably to the left side of the door.
Why are Hanukkah candles colored?
The Parashat Sh’lach (Numbers 15: 38-41) reads that God instructed Jews to include a blue cord to the fringes, or tzitzit, of their clothing, which meant the inclusion of the color blue amongst the already white threads of the tzitzit.
Why do Hanukkah have 44 candles?
Jews light the candles in the menorah from left to right, lighting a new candle, candles for the previous days, and the helper candle each night. You’ll need to use a whopping 44 candles to celebrate Hanukkah since you light two candles the first night, three the second night, four the third night, and so on.
How long does a Hanukkah candle last?
According to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple. Miraculously the oil burned for eight days. Lighting the Hanukkah menorah commemorates this miracle.
Why do you need 45 candles for Hanukkah?
The 45 Candles in each set provide enough candles for you to celebrate all eight nights of Chanukah with family and friends. 45 count box lasts through all 8 nights of chanukah, including the shamash.
What is the miracle of Hanukkah?
But Hanukkah has remained an eight-day holiday where Jews celebrate their victory over an emperor who tried to destroy their identity and culture; the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, and how a small quantity of oil for the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted eight days; this legend is known as the miracle of Dec 16, 2011.
What food is eaten 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 dreidel?
The dreidel game is one of the most famous Hanukkah traditions. It was created as a way for Jews to study the Torah and learn Hebrew in secret after Greek King Antiochus IV had outlawed all Jewish religious worship in 175 BCE. Today we play as a way to celebrate a rich history and have fun with friends and family!.
How much money do you give for Hanukkah?
They give a dollar the first night, two the second night and so on. This adds up to $36—and happily, the number 36 is “double chai” (18 is the numerical equivalent of chai, the word for “life” in Hebrew).
Can you celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas?
Celebrate both holidays but separately In doing this, you celebrate each holiday but keep their traditions separate from one another at different times. You could put up both Hanukkah and Christmas decorations, light the menorah and the Christmas tree, and exchange gifts for both holidays.
What do sides of dreidel mean?
On each of the dreidel’s four sides is inscribed a Hebrew letter—nun, gimel, he, and shin—which together stands for “Nes gadol haya sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there” (in Israel, the letter pe, short for po, “here,” is often used instead of shin).
