Happy Hanukkah Recipes Food Cooking International Guide
Happy Hanukkah Celebrating Eight Day Festival
By Imogen T Stubbs
Happy Hanukkah. The Jewish Hanukkah holiday is an eight day festival
marking the dedication of the Second temple, during the time of
the Maccabean revolt. In the evening, on each of the eight days,
the participants light a Hanukkah candle and an extra one called
Shamash, which is used to light the others.
Shamash is another name for servant or guard. It is also refereed
to as the festival of lights and is still celebrated by many Jewish
people despite the fact that it began in the second century B.C..
The Hanukkah lights are not to be used for any other purpose but
commemoration and that is why there is the extra candle, called
the Shamash, which will light the others.
The children play a game of luck using a four sided dreidel,
with four letters abbreviating Nicht for no win no loss, Gut for
win all, Halb for win half and Schlecht for loss all. As well,
families are involved in gift giving and parties. They serve doughnuts
prepared in special oil long associated with the festival.
Celebrations With Song And Dance
The Hanukkah holiday is celebrated with song and dance. The Hanukkah
music is used to celebrate the end of oppression and the start
of freedom. The miraculous victory surrounding the festival is
commemorated using various art forms. These art forms come in
different styles depending on the wish of the celebrant.
The festival requires that the participants build a temporary
structure or shed where they have their meals, welcome their visitors,
take a break as well as rest in the night. This structure is referred
to as Sukkot which is a Hebrew word for a booth or a hut.
The look of the structure can be anything and the walls can be
made of any material available to the user, including plaster,
canvas or wood. It can even be glass or metal. However, the roof
must be made of natural or organic material that is detached from
the ground.
Somber Rituals Include Placing Hanukkah Candles On The Door
While Happy Hanukkah denotes a tone of partying, there is a somber
and ritualistic side to this holiday. It is not a religious activity
that warrants the closure of the schools or not attending work.
Yet, schools still close through the week and one may leave work
early to go and light the candles. The candles are traditionally
placed on the door or windowsill closest to the road. The Hanukkah
story allows the lighting of a single lamp for the family or one
may light menorah candles.
Bulbs Are Used Where Flames Are Not Allowed
When flames are not allowed, for instance in hospitals, bulbs
can be used. In areas where persecution can occur, one is allowed
to use an electric menorah or candles in the inner rooms or away
from public view.
There is a variation in the lighting of the candles where a family
may light one candle as a whole or may choose to have each member
of the family light their own candle.
The rules of the festival have to be adhered to, but each family
may also follow their own traditions. The traditions and festivities
of the festival serve to make it a Happy Hanukkah.
About the Author:
Imogen T Stubbs has written a number of articles on kitchen, food
and cooking including First
Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving
Feast, Hot
Water, Refrigerator
Water Filter, Water
Filtering System, Whole
House Water.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
Did You Know?
December 21st, 2008 marks the beginning of a long standing tradition
in the Jewish community. It marks the beginning of Hanukkah at
sundown. For a series of days, there will be presents exchanged
on each day.
There will be multitudes of candles lit each day to mark an important
rite of passage. If you are wondering what special gift to give
a loved one during this time, there are plenty of resources out
there that can help you. All you have to do be willing to look
for something that will be special.
RECOMMENDED READING
|
