S.LorinThe eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt..
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Why are Hanukkah colors blue and white?
Blue and White of Hanukkah
As a literal reminder of God and a literary reference to splendor, the color blue takes center stage, snugly surrounded by the color white, a symbol of the people who uphold Jewish teachings and whose ancient white tzitzit accepted the color blue.
What food is eaten on 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 Hanukkah foods?
Hanukkah Foods
- Brisket. Brisket is enjoyed during many Jewish holidays besides Hanukkah, such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
- Latkes. Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are made from shallow-fried shredded or mashed potatoes.
- Kugel.
- Sufganiyot.
- Hanukkah Gelt.
What games do they play at Hanukkah?
6 Hanukkah Games Every Kid Will Love
- Simplified Dreidel. The dreidel is a must for any Hanukkah party since it’s the traditional game of the holiday.
- Gelt Lineup. Gelt, or money, is the traditional gift for Hanukkah.
- Gelt Checkers.
- Ring Toss on a Menorah.
- Find the Gelt.
What can’t you eat during Hanukkah?
The kosher laws also impact what Jews eat. 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.
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 is a popular game that children play on Hanukkah?
There is no more classic Hanukkah game than dreidel. Spin the top and take or give up a share of the pot (usually pennies or chocolate coins) depending on where it lands.
What are some special traditions for Hanukkah? 6 Hanukkah Traditions to Celebrate the Festival of Lights
- Lighting the Menorah.
- Playing Dreidel.
- Eating Fried Food.
- Hanukkah Gelt.
- Giving Gifts.
- Hanukkah Music.
What are the 3 Hanukkah blessings?
Hanukkah Blessings: Learn the 3 Hanukkah Prayers
- Hanukkah Blessings: Chant Before Lighting the Candles.
- Hanukkah Blessings #1: Blessing Over the Candles.
- Hanukkah Blessings #2: Blessing about Miracles.
- Hanukkah Blessings #3: Shehecheyanu.
What gifts do you give on Hanukkah?
Gift-giving is a relatively new tradition during Hanukkah, so when bringing gifts, don’t go overboard. Books, jewelry, and food can be appropriate Hanukkah presents. Family gifts are always appreciated. You can create personalized puzzles with family portraits or pictures of the grandkids.
How do Beginners celebrate Hanukkah?
What do you do on the first night of Hanukkah?
On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder on the far right, and light it with the shamash. Then put the shamash back in its spot (leaving it lit). On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash.
Is it OK to wish someone 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”).
How do you celebrate Hanukkah at home? 10 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah at Home
- Make a latke bar.
- Host Dreidel Madness.
- Decorate your own sufganiyot.
- Make it a true festival of lights.
- Go on a gelt hunt.
- Create your own menorah.
- Listen to a fun Hanukkah song.
- Try a virtual gift swap.
What are Hanukkah chocolate coins called? 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.
What do the Hanukkah candles represent?
The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
What do you say to someone on the first night of Hanukkah?
On the first night of Hanukkah add this blessing: Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v-ki’y’manu v-higianu la-z’man ha-zeh. Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.
Why are there 7 candles for Hanukkah?
The candles we light on Hanukkah symbolize the miraculous oil that was found in the Temple. Because it burned for eight nights—giving the Maccabees time to find more and properly rededicate the temple—we light candles for eight consecutive nights, with the amount of light increasing each night.
What happens on each day of Hanukkah?
Candles are placed in a menorah (sometimes a hanukkiah), with the number of lights increasing each night. On the first night, one candle (plus a “helper” candle called the shammash) is lit. On the second night, two candles plus the shammash are lit. That continues until nine candles are blazing on the final night.
Why is Hanukkah 8 days and not 7?
Shabbat Hanukkah—Why do we celebrate eight days of Hanukkah, not seven? Our standard explanation for the holiday of Hanukkah, based on the Talmudic story, is that one day’s worth of oil lasted for eight whole days. To commemorate this miracle, we observe eight days of Hanukkah.
What games do they play on Hanukkah?
6 Hanukkah Games Every Kid Will Love
- Simplified Dreidel. The dreidel is a must for any Hanukkah party since it’s the traditional game of the holiday.
- Gelt Lineup. Gelt, or money, is the traditional gift for Hanukkah.
- Gelt Checkers.
- Ring Toss on a Menorah.
- Find the Gelt.
What are 5 traditional Hanukkah foods?
Below we go through five essential Hanukkah foods that are rooted in tradition, making them a meaningful part of your celebration.
- Brisket. Brisket is enjoyed during many Jewish holidays besides Hanukkah, such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
- Latkes.
- Kugel.
- Sufganiyot.
- Hanukkah Gelt.
What are special sayings on Hanukkah? General and Traditional Hanukkah Wishes
- “Wishing your family peace and light this holiday season.”
- “Thinking of you during this season of miracles.”
- “Here’s to a bright and meaningful Hanukkah.”
- “Sending love your way during the Festival of Lights.”
- “Happy Hanukkah!”
- “Hanukkah Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Hanukkah!”)
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