Hanukkah
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I want to start by explaining this post will use Haunukka and Chanukah interchangeably.
USA Today has a beautiful article called: Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? Why the Jewish holiday has multiple spellings, that I recommend for further holiday understanding.
Festival of Lights: Exploring the History and Traditions of Hanukkah.
The date for Chanukah varies each year. This is because Jewish Holidays are celebrated based on the Hebrew Calendar, not the Gregorian Calendar. Chanukah begins at sundown on the first day and completes at nightfall after 8 days.
This is a guest post written by our friends at Homeschool On the Range.
Haunukka is not a “Jewish Christmas”
Though both holidays center around lights at a time when the northern hemisphere is at its darkest, Chanukah is not the Jewish Christmas. In fact, it’s a minor holiday that has been amplified due to its relative proximity to Christmas…
Most years, right around the time that Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus, Jews are celebrating a holiday of their own: Hanukkah. By the time the events of the Gospels took place, Jews had been celebrating that holiday for almost two centuries. The holiday began as a national celebration of the victory of Jewish guerillas over the forces of the Syrian-Greeks. ~Rabbi Daniel Polish
The Miracle of Hanukkah
The Festival of Lights, or Chanukah, lasts for eight days and usually occurs in December. It commemorates the triumph of the Maccabees over the great army of the Syrian king, Antiochus IV. After the Jews had won their battle, they went to their temple and found that the Syrians had brought in statues of their own gods. The eternal light had been allowed to go out.
The Jews rekindled the light, but they only had enough oil to keep it burning for one day, and it would take eight days for a messenger to get more oil. The miracle of Chanukah is that the oil kept burning for eight days, long enough for the messenger to return. Jews use a menorah to symbolize this miracle. It holds nine candles, for the eight days the oil kept burning, plus a shamus to light the others.
celebrating the holiday
Chanukah is celebrated by lighting the candles of the menorah, playing dreidel games, and eating latkes. Children often receive a gift each night of Chanukah in addition to gelt, which is chocolate wrapped in gold foil to look like money.
Special thanks to Yvie for this post.
Yvie is a veteran homeschooling mom and high school counselor and teaches online co-op classes for upper grades at Sparks Academy. She helps to create unit studies and enjoys helping other families on their homeschool journey. When not teaching or counseling, she enjoys reading, spending time in her garden, and traveling the country with her boys. You can find her at Homeschool On the Range, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
You may be wondering, if Judaism is not the religion you practice, about the variation in spelling for this 8 day celebration.
Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? Both are considered correct, with Chanukah being traditional and Hanukkah being more widely used.
Read more about HANUKKAH THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS in this post.
Traditions and Celebrations
Lighting the Menorah: Each night, families gather to light the menorah, adding one candle for each night of Hanukkah. The glow of the candles represents hope, unity, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.
Dreidel Games: The dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side, is a traditional Hanukkah game. Families gather to play, with each letter representing a different action, including taking or giving gelt (chocolate coins).
Hanukkah Foods: Traditional Hanukkah foods are often fried or baked in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are popular treats during the festival.
Gift-Giving: While not traditionally a gift-giving holiday, the influence of surrounding cultures has led to some families exchanging small gifts each night of Hanukkah.
Ways Children Can Celebrate Hanukkah
Learn the Dreidel Game: Children of all backgrounds can enjoy learning and playing the Dreidel game. Create a colorful dreidel and take turns spinning it, enjoying the excitement of the game.
Craft a Menorah: Encourage creativity by crafting a menorah using household materials or art supplies. Children can then “light” the candles each night by adding a flame or drawing a picture of one.
Cook Hanukkah Treats: Engage in a delicious activity by making traditional Hanukkah treats like latkes or sufganiyot. This provides an opportunity to explore the significance of these foods and share in the joy of cooking.
Explore Hanukkah Stories: Read children’s books about Hanukkah to gain a better understanding of the festival’s history and traditions. Discuss the values of resilience, faith, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Create Hanukkah Decorations: Children can craft Hanukkah decorations, such as paper dreidels, Star of David ornaments, or banners featuring symbols of the festival. This allows them to express their creativity while learning about Hanukkah.
Hanukkah, with its rich history and vibrant traditions, offers a beautiful opportunity for families to come together in celebration. Whether you are of Jewish heritage or not, the Festival of Lights provides a chance to appreciate the enduring spirit of hope and unity. By exploring the history of Hanukkah, understanding its traditions, and engaging in festive activities, children of all backgrounds can join in the warmth and joy of this cherished holiday. May your Hanukkah be filled with light, love, and shared moments of celebration.
Can’t celebrate this year – Mark your calendar & save this holiday for next year!
You can also pin the image below to your Pinterest boards to save this fantastic holiday!
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