A Guide to Hanukkah Traditions

There are many traditions associated with Hanukkah. Hanukkah is the eight day Jewish celebration also known as The Festival of Lights. The holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple and the Maccabees successfully freeing Jerusalem from Greek-Syrian rule. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days as a reminder of the miracle of a one days supply of pure oil burning for eight days, long enough to allow for new oil to be purified. Hanukkah has been celebrated ever since this miracle.

The Menorah:

The lighting of the Menorah is the most significant tradition during Hanukkah. A Menorah is a candelabra that holds nine candles. One candle for each night of Hanukkah and a servant candle used to light the candles. One the first night one candle is lit from the servant or Shamash candle. One the second night two candles are lit and so on through the holiday. The candles are lit after sunset each night, except for on the Shabbat, when the candles are lit just before sunset. Three blessings are recited on the first night and then two blessings each night after.

The Dreidel game:

The dreidel is a four sided top with the Hebrew symbols or letters for nun, gimmel, hay and shin printed or painted, one on each side. Translated these words mean "A great miracle happened there". In Israel one letter on the driedel is different to translate to "a great miracle happened here" The word dreidel itself comes from the Yiddish word that means "to turn". Spinning the dreidel is a game enjoyed by children and even adults. The game may be played for pennies or Hanukkah gelt. Hanukkah gelt is usually chocolate coins wrapped in foil.

Foods:

Many of the traditional foods that are served during Hanukkah are symbolic of the events that are being celebrated. Many of these foods are fried in oil as a reminder of the miracle of the one day supply of oil burning for eight days. Latkes are usually made from potatoes but have grown to included other vegetables. Latkes are symbolic of food served by Judith. Judith was a hero in the liberation of Bethulia. Loukoumades and pancakes are served to represent the types of cakes made for the Maccabees to carry into battle. Loukoumades are a deep fried puff that is usually dipped in honey.

Gift giving:

Gift giving at Hanukkah is a more recent addition to Hanukkah traditions. Since Hanukkah usually is celebrated near the same time as Christmas many Jewish families will give gifts to their children or other family members. This was mostly started to prevent their children from feeling left out of the gift giving at Christmas. Some families will give eight small gifts, one each night, while others may just give one or two larger gifts during the holidays.

References:

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/holidays/hanukkah.htm
http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/hanukkah/dreidel.htm
http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/hanukkah/dreidel.php
http://homecooking.about.com/od/jewishholidays/a/hanukkahfoods.htm