How Is Hanukkah Celebrated Today?
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, an eight-day celebration that begins on the 25th of the month of Kislev on the Jewish calendar. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish victory against the Seleucids over 2,000 years ago and the miraculous provision of oil for the Temple's seven-branched lamp stand, called a menorah. The account states that after the attack of the Gentile Seleucids, there was only one day's worth of oil for the menorah that had escaped defilement, but the oil lasted for eight days until new oil could be consecrated. Does this Spark an idea?
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Dreidel
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The dreidel is a four-sided top, usually made of wood, marked with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hey and Shin, an acronym for the phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham," meaning "a great miracle happened there." This refers to the miraculous provision of oil for the Temple menorah. It is said that when the Jews were under Greek rule, Torah study was suppressed, so children who gathered to study Torah together would hide their scrolls and pretend they were only playing with tops when guards came by. Today the game is often accompanied by playful betting of chocolate coins.
Lighting the Menorah
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Many modern menorahs hold candles instead of oil lamps. In commemoration of the Hanukkah victory and miraculous provision of lamp oil for the Temple's seven-branched menorah, modern-day Jews light a menorah with eight branches plus a ninth central branch called the "shamash," or attendant, from which the other branches are lit. On each night of the festival, they light one more lamp or candle than on the night before. Certain prayers and hymns accompany the ritual lamp lighting, and it is a time for families to gather together in reflection and celebration.
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Hanukkah Gelt
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Chocolate gelt is available in many grocery stores during Hanukkah season. During Hanukkah it is customary to give children gifts of "gelt," or money, partly to teach and encourage them to be generous and give charitably, and partly to add to the fun and festivities of Hanukkah. In modern times, this custom is sometimes reflected in gifts of chocolate coins covered in gold foil instead of (or along with) gifts of real money. The gifts of Hanukkah gelt also signify the freeing of Jewish resources and culture from the controlling influence of the Gentiles.
Festive Foods
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Latkes are a popular Hanukkah food. A variety of traditional foods are associated with Hanukkah celebrations. Since Hanukkah commemorates a miraculous provision of oil, many Hanukkah foods are cooked or deep fried in oil. Latkes, or fried potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, or deep-fried donuts, are traditional fare at Hanukkah celebrations. In recent years it has become increasingly popular to create "designer latkes," trendy variations on the traditional latke recipe, such as latkes with caviar, curry powder or goat cheese.
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References
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