Hanukkah is one of the widely celebrated Jewish holidays in the world. Hanukkah is a time to spend time with the family. This Jewish holiday is also a time to share your blessings and to show generosity. Hanukkah is a great time to show people you love the most how important they are to you. Here are some tips how.Light …
Observing the Eighth Night of Hanukkah
Many Jews consider the 8th night of Hanukkah as the most significant. It is during this night that Jews greet each other with “Gmar chatimah tovah,” or “may you be sealed totally for good.” Below are some tips to observe during Zot Hanukkah.All eight candles of the Menorah should shine brightly. Light the chanukiah using the shamash from right to left.Say the …
How to Play Dreidel for Hanukkah
Dreidel is a traditional Jewish game usually played during Hanukkah. Its name is derived from the four letter letters found on its four-sided top. It is a Hebrew acronym for ‘Nes Gadol Haya Sham’ which means ‘a great miracle happened there,’ when translated to English. Playing Dreidel is easy. Here’s how:Gather some people to play Dreidel with. Any number of …
Kabbalah! Cult or religion?
During the 6th and 13th century, the Jews in some parts in Europe developed kabbalah. With it’s less than two dozens spelling, Kabbalah or Qabalah to some, from the Hebrew letters qof-bet-lamed means to “receive” or to “accept”.According to tradition, when man received the written law (the 10 commandments) from god, it was said that God also gave man an oral law, …
Chanukah Gifts for Your Pets
Who says Chanukah gifts are only for people? Giving gifts to our loved ones during Chanukah is now part of the modern Jewish culture. Your pet dog or cat is also a part of the family so why not include him or her in your family’s Chanukah celebration. Here are some tips.Buy a dog tag or a cute charm for …
The Story of Hanukkah Gelt
Gelt is a Yiddish word which if translated means “money.” Hanukkah gelt is distributed to children during Hanukkah celebrations. Grandparents would usually give gelt in amounts of small coins. In Israel, gelt is known as dmei Hanukkah.Legend has it that the Hasmoneans minted national coins to celebrate their freedom from the ancient Greeks. It is also believed that eighteenth century Eastern …
How to Observe the First Night of Hanukkah
For many Jewish families, the first night of Hanukkah is the most important one. The first night of Hanukkah opens the entire eight-day celebration. Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by preparing Jewish traditional foods, lighting the Hanukkah menorah, saying special prayers, and exchanging gifts. Jewish games like the dreidel and the Hanukkah gelt hunt are also played during the …
when is chanukah
When is Chanukah? Chanukah (Hanukkah) was founded in commemoration of the fight against assimilation that dates back 22 centuries ago. It is also in honour of the Jewish resistance against Antiochus IV, a Syrian-Greek monarchs who rein the Northern division of Alexander the Great’s fallen empire. Unlike Alexander the Great who had been respectful of the monotheistic religion of the …
The History of Chanukah
The history of Chanukah, otherwise known as Hanukkah dates back more than 2,000 years ago, where the Jewish people were living under the oppressive regime of the Syrian ruler Antiochus Ephipanes IV. Antiochus IV was the successor of Seleucus one of the Generals of Alexander the Great. Antiochus IV was rather the opposite of Alexander the Great’s respect for the …
The Eight Days of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights is a popular Jewish festival celebrated for eight days. The celebration starts on the 25th day of the month of Kislev and lasts for eight days. We observe Hanukkah to commemorate the triumph of Jewish people against Greek oppressors. Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf in his article on aish.com entitled, “Why 8 Days?” explained …