5 Ways on How You Can Celebrate Hanukkah

From lighting the menorah and playing lively games of dreidel to indulging in mouthwatering treats like latkes, Hanukkah offers a delightful tapestry of customs that bring warmth and togetherness. It's a time to embrace resilience, gratitude, and generosity as we exchange heartfelt gifts and get lost in the uplifting melodies of Hanukkah music. So, let's gather our loved ones, light those candles, and let the magic of Hanukkah fill our homes and hearts with love and light. 

What Is Hanukkah? 

Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. This eight-day festival is marked by the lighting of the menorah, the enjoyment of traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, and the giving of gifts. 

This holiday holds great importance in Jewish traditions and serves as an occasion for families to come together to celebrate and reflect on the miracles of faith and perseverance. It is a festive and joyous time that holds deep historical and religious significance for the Jewish community. 

When Is It Celebrated? 

Hanukkah typically begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and lasts for eight days and nights, with the exact dates varying each year based on the Hebrew calendar. This year, it will begin at sundown on December 20th and continue until nightfall on December 28th. 

The eve of Kislev 25 holds significant importance as it marks the start of Hanukkah. According to Jewish tradition, this date commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. The temple's menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, was lit with a small amount of oil that miraculously lasted for eight days, which is one of the many things the Jewish community celebrates each year. 

Throughout Hanukkah, the menorah is traditionally lit each evening, with an additional candle added each night. Special prayers are recited, and families gather to enjoy traditional meals. Children play dreidel, a spinning top game, and exchange gifts and gelt (chocolate coins). These activities and meals are meant to commemorate the miracle of the oil and the triumph of light over darkness. 

5 Hanukkah Traditions to Start with Your Family 

As you prepare to observe this special holiday with your loved ones, consider incorporating these five Hanukkah traditions to enrich the festive season with meaningful rituals and activities that will create lasting memories for years to come. From kindling the menorah to playing Hanukkah music, these traditions bring depth and joy to the holiday and help connect families to their rich cultural heritage. Whether it's cooking traditional foods, exchanging gifts, or giving back to the community, these traditions can help strengthen the bond between family members and instill a sense of unity and gratitude. So, as you embark on this Hanukkah journey, may these traditions bring warmth, light, and blessings to your family celebration. 

1. Light the Menorah Each Night

The lighting of the menorah each night of Hanukkah holds great significance in Jewish tradition. It is a mitzvah, a commandment, to kindle the menorah, and it symbolizes the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the ancient Temple. 

However, you don’t simply light the menorah in any way you want. Rather, it should be lit in a specific manner, starting with one candle on the first night and adding one more each subsequent night, until all eight candles are aglow. 

It is important that the flames of the menorah are real and not electric, as tradition calls for the use of candles or oil and wicks to fulfill the mitzvah. The flickering flames hold deep spiritual symbolism, representing the light and warmth that drive away darkness and negativity. Lighting the menorah through this method and with the right materials is a way for Jewish people to connect with their heritage and reaffirm their faith and dedication to upholding religious customs. 

2. Latke Tasting or Latke Competition

For the younger generations, consider hosting a mini latke tasting with your family or even a friendly latke competition. To get started, list the different types of latke recipes you can make, such as traditional potato, sweet potato, baked, cheesy, and variations with other vegetables like zucchini or carrots. Once you have your list of recipes, ask each family member to select or create their own unique latke recipe to prepare for the tasting or competition. 

To turn this into a new tradition, have each family member make their latkes and then gather around the table to taste and judge each one. You can rate them based on taste, creativity, and presentation, and even award prizes for different categories. This will not only create a fun and delicious new tradition but also allow everyone to showcase their culinary skills and creativity in the kitchen. Plus, it's a great way to bond and spend time together as a family. Whether you choose to do a mini latke tasting or a family competition, experimenting with different variations of latke recipes will add a fresh twist to your holiday traditions. 

3. Make and Decorate Gelt

Aside from latke, you can also make and decorate gelt, chocolate coins given to Jewish children during Hanukkah. First, gather coin-shaped molds and high-quality chocolate suitable for melting. Melt the chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once the chocolate is entirely melted, pour it into the coin-shaped molds and allow it to cool and harden. 

Once the chocolate coins are firm, carefully pop them out of the molds. Now comes the fun part - decorating! Get creative by adding toppings such as dried fruit, chopped nuts, or colorful sprinkles to personalize the gelt. You can even mix and match different toppings to create a variety of flavors. Simply press the toppings gently into the softened chocolate. 

Allow the decorated gelt to set completely before serving or packaging. These homemade gelt coins are perfect for Hanukkah celebrations or as a sweet treat any time of the year. Enjoy customizing your gelt with a variety of toppings to suit your taste preferences. 

4. Play Dreidel

To play Dreidel, each player starts with an equal number of coins or chocolate gelt. The game is typically played with 2-4 players. The players take turns spinning the Dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The letters are Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin, which stand for the phrase "A great miracle happened there." 

When the Dreidel lands on Nun, the player does nothing. 

When it lands on Gimel, the player takes the entire pot. 

When it lands on Hey, the player takes half of the pot. 

When it lands on Shin, the player adds a coin to the pot. 

The game continues until one player has all the coins, or a predetermined amount of time has passed. Variations of the game include playing alone with a points system or adding special rules such as "everyone puts one coin in the pot at the beginning of each turn" to increase the excitement. Playing Dreidel provides kids with the opportunity to learn the Hebrew letters associated with each side of the spinning top, making it a fun way to incorporate educational aspects into the game. 

5. Play Hanukkah Music

As you celebrate the joyous festival, be sure to add warmth and light to your holiday gatherings with a variety of Hanukkah songs. Classic tunes like the 'Dreidel Song' and 'Oh Hanukkah' are perfect additions to create a festive atmosphere and celebrate the holiday with joy. Don't be afraid to encourage everyone to join in and sing songs of praise, as suggested by the Code of Jewish Law, to lavish your meals with God’s kindness. 

Hanukkah songs add an extra layer of joy and meaning to the holiday, bringing the story of the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees to life through music. Whether it's traditional melodies or modern interpretations, the music will help create a warm and welcoming environment for all to enjoy. 

Takeaway 

Hanukkah is a time of celebration, reflection, and togetherness for the Jewish community. By incorporating the traditions of lighting the menorah, indulging in delicious foods like latkes, making and decorating gelt, playing Dreidel, and embracing Hanukkah music, families can create meaningful rituals and lasting memories. These traditions not only connect individuals to their rich cultural heritage but also foster unity, gratitude, and joy. Hanukkah serves as a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness and the miracles that can be found in faith and perseverance. So, gather your loved ones, ignite the flames of the menorah, and let the magic of Hanukkah fill your homes and hearts with love and light. Happy Hanukkah!