What is Hanukkah?
Many residents of Slavic countries have heard this word and even know that it is the name of a holiday. But what is this holiday? Not everyone knows that.
But in Western countries, on the contrary, almost every second person celebrates this holiday. Let's find out what Hanukkah is.
What is Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish traditional festival of lights. It is celebrated to honor the liberation of the Jewish people from the Greek Seleucid dynasty.
After the victory, the Jews wanted to light the sacred oil in the liberated temple, but there was only enough left to burn for 1 day. Then God performed a miracle and the oil burned for 8 days. That's why Hanukkah is celebrated 8 days.
The date of the holiday period is floating, because Jews use their own calendar, which is based on lunar and solar phenomena.
The Hanukkah period runs from the 25th day of the month of Kislev to the 2nd or 3rd day of the month of Tevet according to the Jewish calendar. In 2025 according to the Gregorian calendar this period runs from December 14 to December 22.
Hanukkah traditions
The main symbol of the Festival of Lights is candles. I think many people have seen the traditional candle holder with 9 candles. Each candle in this candlestick symbolizes each day that the sacred oil was burned. Plus there is another service candle shamash.
Traditionally, one new candle is lit each day of the Hanukkah period. By the last day, all 8 candles and the shamash must be lit. Some people light the candles the other way around - first all together, and then each day one is removed. The candles are always lit from left to right.
But this holiday has other traditions as well. For example, the game of Dreidl. For the game, you need coins and a special four-sided spinner with a Hebrew letter on each side.
Before each round, all players contribute to the total game fund and then throw a wolf toss.
- If the letter «nun» (Hebrew for «nothing») falls out on the dreidel, the player who started the wiggle neither takes nor gives anything away.
- If the letter «gimel» (translated as «all») is rolled, the player takes everything from the bank. Each player must then put coins into the bank.
- If the letter «hey» («half») is caught, the player takes half of the coins in the jar.
- If the letter «shin» («put») fell out, you should make a shtel - give the coin to the bank.
If there is one coin left in the jar, each player must put one more coin in the jar. The winner is the one who takes all the coins.
Hanukkah also has some delicious traditions. Sweet donuts with jelly inside and potato cakes are usually prepared for the holiday table.
Gifts are also given on the Feast of Lights. But the main tradition accompanying all Hanukkah days is, of course, prayer.
For all 8 days, Jews offer praise to God and pray for happiness for themselves and their loved ones.
Orthodox Jews teach their children about traditional Jewish holidays from birth. They tell the events leading up to the holiday in the form of a fairy tale.
Hanukkah is an important holiday for Jewish believers. But they do not celebrate Christmas.
But in today's world, many things are mixed up. Including traditions. Therefore, many Jews pay tribute to their traditions, but they also put up a Christmas tree and roast a turkey for the holiday table.
The main tradition of the holidays remains unchanged - spend them together with your nearest and dearest.
