Chanukah History and Traditions

Long story short, Hanukkah a.k.a the Festival of Lights, is the Jewish celebration that remembers the Jews' triumph over persecution and the Syrian king, Antiochus.  For a brief, yet helpful overview, check out this video from the History Channel.

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, which generally falls somewhere in December, and lasts for 8 days and nights. The holiday commemorates how a group o...

The menorah, also called a hanukiyah, is a 9-branched candleholder and one of the most iconic symbols of Hanukkah. Just after sundown, family members and friends gather around the menorah and recite blessings as the middle candle, the shamash, is lit. Then, the shamash is used to light the other candles from left to right. One candle on the menorah is lit on each of Hanukah's 8 nights.  For a fresh take on this holiday candelabra, read Modern Hanukkah Menorah Ideas.

A dreidel is a 4-sided top with Jewish symbols on each side, which serve as game instructions and also stand for "a great miracle has happened here." During Hanukkah, children play games by spinning the dreidel and accumulating Hanukkah gelt, chocolate coins.  The word dreidel is a loose translation of the German word for top.

The favorite tradition of most children on Hanukkah is gift-giving or rather receiving! Many parents give their children a gift on each night of Hanukkah with gifts given to adult family members and friends on a few nights as well. 

Perhaps the most notable foods served on Hanukkah are latkes, potato pancakes, and Sufganiyot, jelly doughnuts. Both of these foods are fried in oil, symbolic of the small amount of oil that lasted for 8 days when the Macabees where restoring the temple in Jerusalem. Try one of our delicious recipes for latkes or jelly doughnuts to make the most of your celebration.