Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Even though Hanukkah is sometimes called Jewish Christmas, it is a completely different holiday. Hanukkah is also known as the Jewish festival of light, as the central tradition of the celebration is to light eight Hanukkah candles during the eight days of the festival. Although there are more serious holy festivals in the Jewish tradition, Hanukkah is also celebrated with special dishes and ceremonies.

Steps

1. 1 Find out more about this holiday. Hanukkah is about celebrating God's protection over the Israeli people and the miracle that happened that day. The holiday marks the triumph of faith and courage over military power as a small group of Israelis openly defended their right to be Jewish. On pain of death, they were forbidden to study sacred texts or perform mitzvot (rituals) important to them. Their temple was desecrated, and they themselves were forced to worship other gods. However, a small group of faithful Israelites known as the Maccabees rose up and defeated the invaders, rebuilt the temple and rededicated it to God. In the temple, it was necessary to light an eternal flame in the main menorah (candlestick). But in order to obtain the sacred oil necessary for burning the menorah, by pressing and purifying, it took 8 days. The Jews had only a day's supply of such oil. They decided, by faith, to light the fire anyway. And a great miracle happened. The vessel of oil was replenished daily with enough oil to keep the fire in the main menorah of the temple.This lasted 7 days, exactly as long as it took to prepare the new oil! It is a common misconception that the oil burned for 8 days. This story is even mentioned by Josephus Flavius, a Jewish historian in the first century. Since then, Hanukkah has been celebrated for 8 days, in honor of the memory of the miracle when the menorah burned for 8 days in the temple. But the main miracle of Hanukkah is the victory of the Maccabees against the most powerful army in the world.
2. 2 Purchase Chanukiah. The main element you need to celebrate Hanukkah is a nine-century candelabrum called Hanukkiahalthough technically menorah - this is a seven-century candelabrum, and candles. Eight candlesticks represent eight nights, and one (different from the others in height, usually taller than the rest) is called shamash, or servant, and is used to light the rest of the candles from it. Chanukiah is usually lit at sunset or right after it.
   • On the first evening, shamash is lit, a prayer of blessing is recited and then the first candle is lit. The first is the far right Chanukiah candle.
   • Candles are located from right to left, but ignite from left to right. The candle that is lit first is the last candle placed on the Chanukiah; Likewise, the last candle you light is always the first candle put on the Chanukiah.
   • On the second evening, shamash and two candles are lit, and so on until the eighth evening, on which all nine candles are lit during the Chanukiah.
   • Traditionally, a lit Hanukkah is placed next to a window so that everyone who passes by can remember the miracle of Hanukkah. Some families put the chanukiah on the windows so that the candles burn from left to right, then passers-by will see the candles from right to left.
3. 3 While lighting candles on the Chanukiah, or menorah, read the blessings. Blessings are a way to show respect for God and Jewish ancestors.
   • On the first day of Hanukkah, read the following blessing:
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, asher kidsheinu bemitzvotav vetsiweinu lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
     
     Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Hanukkah.
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, she-asa we carry to the leavteinu beyamim haheim bazman aze
     
     Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Elohein Melekh Haolam, Shekhekin Vekiyamnu Vekhegan Lasman Aze
     
     Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who preserved our lives, supported us and allowed us to live to this day.
   • On all subsequent Hanukkah nights, recite the following blessings:
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, asher kidsheinu bemitzvotav vetsiweinu lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
     
     Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Hanukkah.
     
     Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Haolam, she-asa we carry to the leavteinu beyamim haheim bazman aze
     
     Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
4. 4 Play with a spinning top (dreidel). A four-sided top called a dreidel, or sivivonare used to play with small candies or nuts. All players receive an equal number of candies, some of which are placed in bank in the center. Players take turns spinning the top. Each side of the dreidel has a letter that indicates whether to take the candy to the player or spread it. The game ends when one player has all the candies, or when all the candies have already been eaten (which usually happens if there are small children in the family!)
5. 5 Give kids little surprises. Every Hanukkah evening, children receive a gift of some money (gelt). Also, chocolate coins are common as gifts and treats on Hanukkah. Alternatively, you can give your child a check for $ 5 every night, which he can spend on charity at his discretion.
   • Hanukkah gifts can also be given to adults. Although Hanukkah is celebrated around the same time as Christian Christmas, it is not Jewish Christmasfor which some take this holiday.
   • Beautiful Hanukkiah candles, good oil, or a book of Jewish recipes can be a great gift for adults.
6. 6 Cook your meals in oil. Hanukkah is not the same if traditional latkes with apple syrup are not prepared. Latkes (pancakes made from grated potatoes, onions and salt) are fried in oil until dark brown and then served with applesauce (often sour cream). Frying oil should be reminiscent of the oil miracle. Another popular holiday dish, especially in Israel, are powdered sugar-coated donuts, the so-called sufganiot... In general, the main thing is that the dish is fried in a lot of oil!
   • In addition, during Hanukkah, people consume a lot of dairy products as a way to honor the memory of Judith. Judith saved her village from the military leader of the conquering Syrian army by treating him with salty cheese and wine. According to the story, when he fell asleep, she decapitated him with his own sword. That is why cheese latkes and syrniki are popular on Hanukkah days.
7. 7 Practice Tikkun Olam. Use the holiday as a chance to talk to your children about what they believe in and what it means to stand up for their beliefs. Find arguments for free speech and religious freedom, and help the children spread this message a century after the miracle of Hanukkah. After all, Hanukkah is the story of the Israelis' struggle for religious freedom!

Tips

• Don't compare Hanukkah with Christmas. Despite the fact that these two holidays take place at about the same time, they are not related to each other. Enjoy the essence of the holiday that is relevant to our lives today: celebrate the power of faith and the ability of strong convictions to withstand strong resistance.
• Don't forget: Hanukkah is a time of joy and fun.

Warnings

• If Hanukkah starts on a Friday, make sure to light the candles before the onset of Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath), because after sunset the lights cannot be turned on.
• Do not blow out candles unless necessary. The candles must burn out to the end. Unless you need to leave home and there is no one to look after the candles, let them burn while they are lit. If you're worried about a mess, use non-dripping candles or place the chanukiah on foil.
• Always keep a close eye on the candles. Do not place the chanukiah on the edges of furniture or on surfaces where there is even the slightest risk of fire. Make sure there are no small children, hair or clothing in the candle burning area.

What do you need

• Hanukkiah
• Candles
• Top dreidel
• Coins, small gifts
• Ingredients for latkes and other buttered dishes.
• Small gifts for children