What do Hanukkah candles represent?

Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others. Families light one candle on the first day, two on the second (and so on) after sundown during the eight days of Hanukkah, while reciting prayers and singing songs.

What is the most important night of Hanukkah?

The most important of all is the lighting of the menorah, a candelabra with eight branches plus a holder for the shammash (“servant”) candle that is used to light the other eight candles. What is done on the last day of Hanukkah?

What do you do for each night of Hanukkah?

Each night at sundown, family and friends gather to light another candle on the hanukkiah. Songs and prayers are often said, and then it’s time to eat! To celebrate the history of the holiday many traditional dishes are cooked using lots of oil. One of the most popular Hanukkah foods is the latke (say “LOT-kuh”).

What do you do each night of Hanukkah?

What do you do on the first day of Hanukkah?

The first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite three blessings and two on the remaining days. After lighting the menorah, Jews will sing Hanerot Halalu, a hymn with many variations across cultures. But the main theme consists of addressing the reasons for lighting the menorah and giving thanks and praise to God.

What is the first night of Hanukkah prayer?

On the first night of Hanukkah add this blessing: Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v-ki’y’manu v-higianu la-z’man ha-zeh. Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

What are 4 Interesting 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.

What are traditional Hanukkah gifts?

Traditional Hanukkah gifts such as gelt, or “coins” are often given during the Festival of Lights. Menorahs, dreidels, and candles come readily to mind, too. If you’re looking for something traditional that isn’t quite so personal, consider practical items for the home.

What are the letters on the top of Hanukkah?

(Historically, Hanukkah was one of the few times of the year when rabbis permitted games of chance.) The four sides of the top bear four Hebrew letters: nun, gimel, hey, and shin. Players begin by putting into a central pot or “kitty” a certain number of coins, foil-wrapped chocolate disks known as gelt

How many candles should be lit each night for Hanukkah?

9: Including the shammus — or service — candle, number of candles in a menorah 30: Minimum number of minutes the Hanukkah candles should burn each night 44: Total candles lit (including the shammus) overall eight days. 92: Approximate number of years that American chocolatiers have been making chocolate gelt.

What are some facts about the holiday of Hanukkah?

Hanukkah facts by the numbers. The holiday of Hanukkah is always associated with the number eight—and eight is a very important number.

What do you do with dreidels during Hanukkah?

Since then, dreidel has been resurrected as a fun game played during Hanukkah for chocolate coins called gelt, to commemorate this time. Each side of the dreidel has a different Hebrew letter, which tells the player how much to put in, or take out, of the pot.