What is Hanukkah and why is it celebrated?
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.
How do Jews celebrate 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).
What are 5 traditions of Hanukkah?
5 Hanukkah Traditions
- Dreidel game: Break out your dreidels and get ready for some traditional Hanukkah fun.
- Nun– “nothing”– nothing happens.
- Gimel– “all”– take everything in the pot.
- Hey– “half”– take half of the pot (round up if necessary)
- Shin– “put in” – put one coin in the pot.
Why do Jews celebrate the festival of Hanukkah?
The 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.
Is Hanukkah like Christmas?
Christmas and Hanukkah are holidays celebrated in the winter that are very different celebrations. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, while Hanukkah is in remembrance of past miraculous event, when Jews reclaimed their temple after Syrians forced them to worship false gods.
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’s the difference between Hanukkah and Chanukah?
Both are considered correct, however Hanukkah is a widely used spelling, whereas Chanukah is more traditional. The reason for many spelling differences is transliteration. Hebrew does not use the Latin alphabet, which is the standard script of many languages, including English.
Do you get gifts 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.
What is the difference between Hanukkah and Christmas?
The main difference between Christmas and Hanukkah is that Christmas is a Christian festival that falls on 25th of December while Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that falls on 25th Kislev. Christmas and Hannukah are two major religious holidays celebrated at the end of the year.
What do you eat on Hanukkah?
10 Best Traditional Hanukkah Foods
- Latkes.
- Beef brisket.
- Roasted chicken.
- Kugel.
- Matzo ball soup.
- Rugelach.
- Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)
- Challah.