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Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that typically takes place between late November and late December. Jews celebrate it by lighting the menorah, playing the game of dreidel and eating special holiday foods like latkes and sufganiyot. It is also one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays.
What is Hanukkah and how is it celebrated?
Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
How do Jews celebrate Hanukkah at home?
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).
What are 3 Hanukkah traditions?
Hanukkah Celebrations Lighting candles each night. Singing special songs, such as Ma’oz Tzur. Reciting the Hallel prayer. Eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Playing the dreidel game, and giving Hanukkah gelt Begins 25 Kislev Ends 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet.
What are 5 traditions of Hanukkah?
Celebrate the festival of lights and stick to Hanukkah traditions to show your appreciation for the holiday. Take part in Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah, playing the dreidel game, eating gelt, cooking and baking delicious food, and enjoying the fun of Hanukkah gifts.
Is Hanukkah like Christmas?
The Festival of Lights. The “Jewish Christmas.” The holiday that Adam Sandler wrote a song about. To Jewish people, however, Hanukkah isn’t actually all that religious of a holiday –though because of its proximity to Christmas, it’s often assumed the most important Jewish holiday. It’s not.
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.
How do we celebrate Passover?
Passover is often celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, especially on the first night, when a special family meal called the seder is held. At the seder, foods of symbolic significance commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation are eaten, and prayers and traditional recitations are performed.
What gifts do you give on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah Gift Jar: Fill with small gifts of Hanukkah. Ideas include gold gelt coins (traditional chocolate coins in gold foil), a dreidel and handwritten blessings to say as the Hanukkah candles are lit. Top your gift jar with festive blue and silver ribbon.
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 activities do you do on Hanukkah?
8 Hanukkah Celebration Ideas to Get Into the Holiday Spirit Latke Tasting or Latke Competition. Hanukkah Donut Decorating. Virtual Candle Lighting. Make and Decorate Gelt. Family Dreidel Night. Matching Pajamas and Movie Night. Eight Nights of Mini Gifts. Hanukkah Book of the Night.
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.
Do you put up a tree for Hanukkah?
Putting up the tree is a way for her family to gather together and have some intentional time reflecting on the season as they put each ornament and decoration on the tree. “My grandmother loves seeing the Hanukkah tree go up each year, because not only is it beautiful, but it’s special to just us.”Sep 27, 2021.
What do Jews believe about God?
Jewish people believe there’s only one God who has established a covenant—or special agreement—with them. Their God communicates to believers through prophets and rewards good deeds while also punishing evil.
What are 3 differences between Christmas and Hanukkah?
Hanukkah has only one symbol for the celebration, and it is the special menorah with eight candles which is to be lighted for eight days; while Christmas has a lot of decorations such as the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, and even Santa Claus and more; but the most popular and appropriate symbol for Christmas is.
Can you eat meat during Hanukkah?
There is no pork or shellfish allowed, and Jews will not mix meat and dairy in the same meal, so if a chicken is on the table, you won’t find butter or cheese.
Why are there jelly donuts for Hanukkah?
Why do we eat latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) on Chanukah? The short answer is because the holiday of Chanukah is about the small jar of oil miraculously lasting for eight days and therefore, frying foods in oil commemorates that miracle.
What are special sayings on Hanukkah?
“The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.” “The darkess of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.” “The spirit of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is shared by all people who love freedom.” “A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness.”Oct 1, 2021.
What is not allowed during Passover?
Ashkenazi Jews, who are of European descent, have historically avoided rice, beans, corn and other foods like lentils and edamame at Passover. The tradition goes back to the 13th century, when custom dictated a prohibition against wheat, barley, oats, rice, rye and spelt, Rabbi Amy Levin said on NPR in 2016.
