Hanukkah PageHanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.
In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.
Jewish people play many games during Hanukkah including playing with a dreidle. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children's game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning. Children usually play for a pot of gelt, which are chocolate coins covered in gold colored tin foil, but they can also play for candy, nuts, raisins – anything really!
Dreidel is a Yiddish word that comes from the German word "drehen," which means “to turn.” In Hebrew the dreidel is called a "sevivon," which comes from the root "savov" and also means "to turn."
Any number of people can play the dreidel game. At the beginning of the game each player is given an equal number of gelt pieces or candy, usually 10-15.
At the beginning of each round, every player puts one piece into the center "pot." They then take turns spinning the dreidel, with the following meanings assigned to each of the Hebrew letters:
If a player runs out of game pieces they are "out.
There are many traditions that come with Hanukkah. The most important of all these traditions are as follows:
| Nights of Hanukkah | Story | Traditions | Photos. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The first night of Hanukkah is used as a time to reflect on the revolt of Judas Maccabeus | One candle is lit on the first night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 8:1-11. |  |
| 2 | On the second night, the Menorah is lit in honor of the preparation of the upcoming battle. | Two candles are lit on the second night, the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 8:12-20. | |
| 3 | The third night is a celebration for the defeat of Nicanor. | Three candles are lit on the third night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 8:21-29. | |
| 4 | The fourth night signifies Judah’s defeat of Timothy and Bacchides. | Four candles are lit on the fourth night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 8: 30-36. | |
| 5 | Night number five celebrates the last campaign of Antiochus Epiphanes. | Five candles are lit on the fifth night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 9: 1-12. |
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| 6 | The sixth night of Hanukkah celebrates the promise that Antiochus made to God. | Six candles are lit on the sixth night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 9: 13-18 |
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| 7 | On the seventh night, the death and letters of Antiochus are signified. | Seven candles are lit on the seventh night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 9: 19-29 |
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| 8 | The final night of Hanukkah is a time to rejoice the Purification of the Temple. | Eight candles are lit on the eighth night,the Verse that is read is 2 Maccabees 10: 1-9. |
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During the eight nights of Hanukkah, it has also become customary for adults to present their young children with one gift each night. This is a relatively new custom, which not all Jewish families follow. It was started as a way to counteract their children’s jealousy over the fact that many of their Christian friends received gifts on Christmas. Traditionally, the only gifts that were given on Hanukkah, was when a child was given “gelt” (small amounts of money) by a family member.
I hope this has helped with your overview of Hanukkah, and for those who celebrate it Happy Hanukkah!!!