A Brief Look at Hanukkah Customs and Rituals

Hanukkah may be a strictly Jewish holiday, but that doesn't stop non-Jews from taking part in it to some extent, as even the White House hosts Hanukkah parties every year. This is mostly attributed to the fact that Hanukkah takes place just weeks before Christmas. Thus, the giving of gifts to children and greeting cards is also quite common during this time.

Though it is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays in the world, Hanukkah is in fact considered a minor holiday (religiously speaking), and therefore businesses are usually open during the eight-day celebration (except on Sunday). The word itself means “dedication”, in homage to the Jews who purified the Holy Temple and lighted the candelabra with a drop of olive oil that miraculously lasted for eight days. This is celebrated by lighting candles on the Hanukkah Menorah at nightfall, a candelabrum with eight branches reserved for meditation, and a raised branch called the shamash that's used for everyday lighting purposes. Traditional hymns are sung each night, right after the candles are lit.

Aside from the candle-lighting ceremony, Hanukkah celebrations include playing with the dreidel, or a spinning top with Hebrew characters printed on it. Fried foods such as sufganiyot (fried donuts filled with jelly) and latkes (fried potato and onion pancakes topped with applesauce) are also served. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, these foods are cooked in olive oil.