Hanukkah Traditions
Every community has its unique Hanukkah traditions, but there are some traditions that are almost universally practiced. They are: lighting the hanukkiyah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods.
Lighting the hanukkiyah: Every year it is customary to commemorate the miracle of the Hanukkah oil by lighting candles on a hanukkiyah. The hanukkiyah is lit every night for eight nights.
Spinning the dreidel: A popular Hanukkah game is spinning the dreidel, which is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Gelt, which are chocolate coins covered with tin foil, are part of this game.
Eating fried foods: Because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the holiday. Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil and then served with applesauce. Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts that are fried and sometimes dusted with confectioners’ sugar before eating.
Enjoy your holiday!
Hugs, Rose and The Lantern Gang!
To our Jewish Classmates, enjoy Hanukkah!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Rose
Dear Rose:
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. We already have the house decorated with a Menorah, dreidels, and other festive stuff.
I love this holiday and I hope all of my friends who celebrate Hanukkah have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks, Joe Greenberg
I can remember growing up in Roxbury, my best girlfriend was Jewish and very very Kosher, as we always said. I would respect and honor her holidays and tried to be "kosher" when in her house. I would remember to keep the Meat and Milk seperate and if she came to our house we would honor her traditions be careful to not give her food that would compromise her faith and traditions. We also would dress up for each others holidays. (that was back in the day when you actually did dress up for special holidays...LOL)
ReplyDeleteHaving been close friends with the Owens family really was the best part of my childhood. They taught me so so much. I want to wish all of you a very very Happy Hanukkah.
Your traditions are beautiful and I am so glad that I was able to learn them and share them so so many years ago...I may have forgotten some of them but not all.....HAPPY HANUKKAH to all
I love potato pancakes! One of my favorite things to make. . . and on that note (favorite things) I belatedly want to wish all my wonderful Jewish friends and classmates Happy Holidays!!! Let's all get together soon.
ReplyDeleteMeri