Hanukkah and the Menorah
– Can miracles really happen?
Become a hanukkah expert in no time! Read about the why and how it is celebrated, learn about the menorah and even how to make irresistible potato latkes.
A struggle for religious freedom and one great miracle
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Wouldn’t you agree this calls for a celebration!
To celebrate their victory, the Jews wanted to rededicate the Jerusalem temple by lighting the Menorah. But they could only find oil to last for one day. Miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted for eight days; just long enough to make new oil. We celebrate this great miracle until today – see how it's done...
Hanukkah – the festival of Lights
Hanukkah, which is also know as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Kislev, that usually occurs in mid to late December. The celebrations go on for eight great days and revolve mainly around the tradition of lighting the menorah (or the Hanukiah as it's called in Hebrew).
The menorah - sharing the light
The menorah is a candleholder with eight candles and a shammash, or servant candle. Every evening at sunset, the Jewish family gathers together to light the menorah and to exchange gifts. On the first night, a single candle is lit, and then another added each evening until eight candles are burning. The ninth candle, the shammash, must be set slightly apart from the other candles and is used to light them.
Things to know when lighting your candles
When lighting your Hanukiah, you are required to stand beside it holding the lit shamash. A blessing is recited and the candles are lit. According to tradition, when you light the menorah you should do it by the window, so the light can bee seen from the outside.
Don’t mistake the menorahs for a Hanukiah, they are two different items!
Did you think I would end the section on Hanukkah on an empty stomach??? Think again!
On these eight days of celebration it is tradition to eat potato latkes. They are simple to make and great to eat. Click here for my old family recipe and enjoy these crispy hot cakes.
Click now to see picture of popular Hanukkah lamps and leading styles of menorahs
