Happy Hanukkah + a Playlist
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
It’s time for the Festival of Lights, Jewish style. Each year, Hanukkah (sometimes spelled Chanukah) ushers in eight nights of light and love and celebration. Last night marked the first day of the 2020 celebration. Happy Hanukkah!
There are so many beautiful rituals involved in the holiday. It’s called the Festival of Lights because it’s about bringing light and warmth into our homes, our communities and our world. Central to it is the menorah, a branched candlestick that holds nine candles. The candles represent knowledge and creation, with a new candle lit each evening. The ninth candle, called the shamash (or helper), is used to light the others.
Curious how the ritual started? We were. Following the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion, there was a dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah was lit, though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the candles burning for one day. The miracle occurred when the flames continued flickering for eight nights.
And so Hanukkah began. In fact, the word Hanukkah means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew. Today, the holiday is celebrated with lights and gifts and food. Here are some lovely festivities we’d like to add to our wish lists…
BLESSINGS
Two blessings are recited aloud each evening during the menorah lighting. Anyone in the family may recite the blessings while holding the shamash and then lighting the candles. The first is a blessing over the candles themselves. The second blessing expresses thanks for the miracle. A third blessing, marking all joyous occasions, is included on the first night.
GIFTS
For gifts, we turn to our annual gift guide. From chocolates to incense to charity donations to fashion, our guide is all-local and all-encompassing. Check it out here, for a gift for every Nellie in your life.
FOOD
Traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jam-filled donuts) are classics and represent the original jar of oil that lasted for eight days. Bimuelos (fried dough puffs) are also popular and delicious, as are sfenj (doughnuts) and keftes de prasas (fried leek patties).
MENORAHS
As we mentioned above, the menorah is central to the holiday. The nine-branch candle holder is lit each evening. When possible, people place it in a window so it can shine to the outside as well. Beyond the object, there is a ritual of how to light it. When the menorah is facing you, the first night’s candle is placed in the right-most holder. As the evenings progress, the menorah is lit from left to right so the kindling begins with the newest light. Since the candles are holy, they aren’t meant for practical use.
DREIDELS
Another important ritualistic object of Hanukkah is the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top. It’s a children’s toy central to a traditional Hanukkah game. The four sides of the top bear four Hebrew letters, which stand for a Hebrew saying that means, ‘A great miracle happened there.’ This symbolic statement refers to the defeat of the Syrian army and the re-dedication of the Temple.
