Hanukkah
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday. It celebrates the miracle of Hanukkah. Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah for eight nights. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah begins in late November or December. The Hebrew word hanukkah means dedication.[1]Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights.
The hanukiah (or hanukkah menorah) is an important Hanukkah candle holder. It has nine candles. Traditionally, one candle is separated from the rest, usually by being higher than the other eight. On the first night, only one candle is lit, on the right side of the hanukiah. On the second night, a second candle is added, and they are lit from left to right. This continues for all eight nights. The candles are never lit directly - instead, the higher candle, (called a shamash, meaning "attendant") is lit first, and then used to light the rest of the candles. Before the candles are lit, blessings are said over them.
Jewish children often play a game called dreidel.
References [change]
- ↑ Rosenblum, William F. (1978). "Hanukkah". World Book Encyclopedia 9. World Book-Childcraft International.
Other websites [change]
- "Hanukkah". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/hanukkah.shtml. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
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