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Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, and sometimes spelled Chanukah, commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over the oppressive Syrian king, and the miracle that occurred after the Jews regained their temple. It does not rank as one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar, but it is a time for celebration, usually in the home, with rituals that include lighting the menorah, preparing traditional foods, exchanging gifts and playing dreidel.
Latkes, or potato pancakes, are a traditional Hanukkah dish. But the significance isn’t in the potato; it’s in the oil that you use to fry them. When the Jerusalem Temple was recaptured and reconsecrated by the Maccabbees, only one night’s worth of oil remained to light the temple. Miraculously, though, the oil lasted eight nights, or enough time to make more oil. That's the miracle of Hanukkah. However, since man cannot live on latke alone, we’ve also included recipes for other traditional foods served at Jewish celebrations.
Jews have given Hanukkah gelt – gold or chocolate coins – to friends and family since the 17th century. The practice of giving more elaborate gifts began in the 19th century.
No Hanukkah celebration would be complete without a few rousing games of dreidel. But before you play, sing this simple song about the four-sided top:
“I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s
dry and ready,
then dreidel I shall play!“
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, serves as the main symbol for this winter celebration.
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