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What are 5 facts about Hanukkah?

What are 5 facts about Hanukkah?

8 Interesting Things You May Not Know About Hanukkah

  • Hanukkah Isn’t A Major Jewish Holiday.
  • A Menorah Is Actually A “Hanukiah”
  • 17.5 Million Donuts Are Eaten In Israel During Hannukah.
  • The Dreidel Was Used As A Cover-Up For Studying The Torah.
  • Gifts Are Only Given Because It’s Close To Christmas.

How did Hanukkah get its name?

The name “Hanukkah” derives from the Hebrew verb “חנך‎”, meaning “to dedicate”. On Hanukkah, the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple.

What are the Colours of Hanukkah?

For Jewish Americans, this time of year is celebrated with the blue and white (and sometimes silver) of Hanukkah. That color choice has little to do with the the holiday’s religious meaning — and everything to do with 20th century American culture, say experts on the subject.

What are some Hanukkah traditions?

In another allusion to the Hanukkah miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Potato pancakes (known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are particularly popular in many Jewish households. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and exchanging gifts.

What is the Hanukkah candle called?

menorah
What is a menorah? The Hanukkah candlestick holder that has been used since the time of the Temple is called a menorah (say “meh-NO-rah”). It has spots for nine candles – one for each night of Hanukkah. The extra candle, called the Shamash, is used to light all of the others.

Why do Jews wear blue and white?

But, while blue and white decorations are largely an American phenomenon and not part of the holiday’s celebration elsewhere, the most common reason cited for the color choice is an international one: blue and white are the colors of Israel’s flag.

What do you need to know about Hannukah trivia?

Hannukkah Trivia: 40 facts you didn’t know about the Jewish holiday! Hannukah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.

Why is Hanukkah not mentioned in the Torah?

5. Because the holiday falls near Christmas, it’s a common belief that Hanukkah is the most important holiday in Jewish tradition, but it’s actually not. Those would be the High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In fact, Hanukkah isn’t even mentioned in the Torah.

How many nights and days does Hanukkah last?

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. Let’s see some interesting facts about it!

When did Hanukkah start in the United States?

Some say Hanukkah gained popularity in the late 1800s among American Jews because of the season in which it falls – usually around Christmas. Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The corresponding Gregorian date varies.