Spring Break
Hannukah Highlights
Facts and trivia about the Jewish Festival Of Lights
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Season's Greetings
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Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
The origins of Hanukkah can be traced back to 165 B.C. King Antiochus IV of Syria oppressed Jews, with the desire that Jews would assimilate to many aspects of Greek culture and Hellenistic life. Antiochus massacred Jews, prohibited the practice of Judaism and desecrated the altar of the Temple of Jerusalem. Two groups of Jews joined together, led by Judas Maccabee, and revolted to overthrow the Syrian armies.
When the Jews went to rededicate the Temple of Jerusalem following the rebellion, they found that little oil was left for the menorah, which was to burn every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one night, but somehow, the menorah stayed lit for eight days - the time it took to prepare more oil for the menorah. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate this miracle.
What are some Hanukkah traditions?
Gift-giving isn't a traditional part of Hanukkah. The only traditional Hanukkah gift is gelt, which is small amounts of money. Gelt can also be foiled-covered chocolates, often used when playing another tradition, the gambling game called dreidel. A more recent custom for some families is to give children small gifts each night of Hanukkah.
What is a dreidel?
A dreidel is a wooden top with one Hebrew letter on each of four sides. The word dreidel is derived from the German word "drehen," which means "to turn." In Hebrew, the word for dreidel is "sevivone," which comes from the verb meaning "to turn."
How do you play dreidel?
The letters on a dreidel also stand for the Yiddish words nit (nothing), gants (all), half (half) and shtell (put). These letters are also the basis for the general rules of the dreidel game. Everyone puts in a coin, and someone spins the dreidel. Then, depending on what symbol lands face up:
In one variation of dreidel, every player puts in a coin if the pot is empty, and you play until one person has the entire pot. Then you redivide it.
The origins of Hanukkah can be traced back to 165 B.C. King Antiochus IV of Syria oppressed Jews, with the desire that Jews would assimilate to many aspects of Greek culture and Hellenistic life. Antiochus massacred Jews, prohibited the practice of Judaism and desecrated the altar of the Temple of Jerusalem. Two groups of Jews joined together, led by Judas Maccabee, and revolted to overthrow the Syrian armies.
When the Jews went to rededicate the Temple of Jerusalem following the rebellion, they found that little oil was left for the menorah, which was to burn every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one night, but somehow, the menorah stayed lit for eight days - the time it took to prepare more oil for the menorah. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate this miracle.
What are some Hanukkah traditions?
Gift-giving isn't a traditional part of Hanukkah. The only traditional Hanukkah gift is gelt, which is small amounts of money. Gelt can also be foiled-covered chocolates, often used when playing another tradition, the gambling game called dreidel. A more recent custom for some families is to give children small gifts each night of Hanukkah.
What is a dreidel?
A dreidel is a wooden top with one Hebrew letter on each of four sides. The word dreidel is derived from the German word "drehen," which means "to turn." In Hebrew, the word for dreidel is "sevivone," which comes from the verb meaning "to turn."
How do you play dreidel?
The letters on a dreidel also stand for the Yiddish words nit (nothing), gants (all), half (half) and shtell (put). These letters are also the basis for the general rules of the dreidel game. Everyone puts in a coin, and someone spins the dreidel. Then, depending on what symbol lands face up:
In one variation of dreidel, every player puts in a coin if the pot is empty, and you play until one person has the entire pot. Then you redivide it.
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