Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah— is almost here. The eight-day winter “festival of lights,”begins Sundayat sundown.Jews celebrate Hanukkah bylighting menorahs, telling the Hanukkahstory, playingdreidel and eatingspecial foods.
And while yes, Hanukkah usually takes place in December, itis not "Jewish Christmas."Here's more about Hanukkah's history, customs andtraditionalrecipes.
What is Hanukkah?
The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after it was plundered by the Syrians. The eight-day wintertime “festival of lights” is celebrated with nightlymenorahlighting, special prayers and fried foods,according to chabad.org.
Hanukkahin 2022 dates
This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from Sunday, Dec. 18, to Monday, Dec. 26
Why do the dates of Hanukkah change each year?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month ofKislev. The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and its dates fluctuate with respect to other calendar systems. The first day of Hanukkah can fall anywhere between Nov. 28 and Dec. 26.
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What does Hanukkah commemorate?
In the second century BCE, Jerusalem was ruled by the Syrian-Greeks, who tried to force the people ofIsraelto accept Greek culture and beliefs instead ofmitzvahobservance and belief inGod, according to chabad.org. Asmall band of poorly armed Jews, led byJudahtheMaccabee, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple inJerusalemand rededicated it to the service ofGod.
When they sought to light the Temple'sMenorah(the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single portion of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. They lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
At the heart of Hanukkah is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah, which is usually placed in a doorway or window,holds nine flames, one of which is theshamash(“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights, according to chabad.org. A candle is lit each night and by the eighth night, all eight are kindled.
Hanukkah blessingsare recited before the menorah is lit, andtraditional songsare sung afterward.
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In what order do you light the Hanukkah candles?
On the first night of Hanukkah,one candle on thefar rightof the menorah is lit. On the following night, the second light to the left of the first one is lit, and so on each night, moving from right to left. Each night, Jews light the newest (leftmost) candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
Is Hanukkah 'Jewish Christmas?'
No.
This is a common misconception because the holidays often fall close to each other on the calendar. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after it was plundered by the Syrians in 164 BCE, more than a century and a half before the birth of Jesus, which is celebrated annually by Christians at Christmas, according tomyjewishlearning.com
What foods are traditionally eaten on Hanukkah?
During the "holiday of oil," it is customary to eat foods fried in oil, including dishes likepotatolatke(pancake) garnished with applesauce or sour cream, andjelly-filled Sufganiyot(doughnut).
Here is a traditional latke recipe to try fromKosher.com:
Basic Potato Latkes
Serves 4.Credit:Danielle Renov, @peaslovencarrots
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled
- 1 large onion, peeled
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons Haddar Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Haddar Baking Powder
- 3 tablespoonsflour
- oil, for frying
In a large bowl combine eggs, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a food processor fitted with the “kugel” blade, add onion and potatoes.Process.
Use your hands to scoop out the potato mixture and over the sink or a bowl press your hands together to try and squeeze out as much “juice” as possible.
Add “dryer” potato mixture to the egg bowl.
Tip:After grating the onion and first three potatoes with the kugel blade,switch to the fine “stringy” graterand do the last potato like that. This gives the latkes just the right amount of fluffiness with all the goodness of the crispy strings.
Also, instead of using hands to squeeze out the potatoes, use a large fine-mesh strainer. Press down with the back of a large spoon to push all the liquid out of the potato, then transfer grated potato and onions to a bowl to mix with all the other ingredients.
Return the completed latke mixture to the strainer so that any more liquid that accumulates can drip into a bowl.
Repeat until all the potatoes and onion have been added. Mix until combined.
Add flour and stir until fully incorporated.
To fry:Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.Add enough oil to fill the pan one inch high.
When the oil is hot, use a ladle to drop in large scoops of potato mixture, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.Allow each latke to fry for two minutes on the first side, then flip and fry one more minute.Remove to a cooling rack or paper towel to drain and repeat with remaining batter.
Serve hot and enjoy.
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What games are traditionally played on Hanukkah?
It is customary to play with a “dreidel” (a four-sided spinning top bearing the Hebrew letters,nun,gimmel,heiandshin, an acronym fornes gadol hayah sham, “a great miracle happened there”). The game is usually played for a pot of coins, nuts, gelt or other stuff, which is won or lost based on which letter the dreidel lands when it is spun.
What is gelt?
Geltischocolate coins given to Jewish children during Hanukkah. Gelt is usually wrapped in gold foil, and its history can be traced back to the decision of the Hasmoneans to mint their own nation’s coins after their military victory over the Greek Syrians, according to reformjudaism.org. Geltisoften used to gamble in the game ofdreidel.
Is there a greeting for Hanukkah?
According to reformjudaism.org, onHanukkah, you can say “Hanukkah sameach!” which means “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Chag urim sameach” which means “Happy Festival of Lights.”
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter@kirbylouisville.
