Hanukkah

What should we remember about Hannukah?

First, it's a Jewish holiday. It begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Secondly, it commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.

Thirdly, let's talk about the main traditions surrounding Hanukkah:

• lighting menorah and all kinds of candles 🕯: menorah is known as the Hanukkah lamp used in religious rituals in Judaism.
• prayers and liturgy: as Hanukkah is a religious holiday, it is also characterized by recitation of Psalms, singing hymns, and reading of Scripture.
• festive meals: the usual, you'd say. Well, nobody can't deny the importance of a ritual feast! Potato pancakes, doughnuts, and other treats fried in oil, which recall the miracle of the oil, are especially popular 🥞
• games: kids and parents play cards, it's a very common game on this day.

Hanukkah is especially popular in Israel: there it is a national holiday, children get a day off from school. They take part in plays, concerts, and make parties. You can see menorahs everywhere.

Well, I'm not going to retell you all Hanukkah history. If you're eager to make sense of it, watch an episode of Friends where Ross dresses up in an armadillo costume (sorry, Santa) and explains Hanukkah to his little son Ben. 🕎