Hanukkah is an enjoyable holy day with many meaningful customs. Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community begins its eight-day celebration. The holy day focuses on the hanukkiyah, the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah. The usual menorah, like the modern symbol of the State of Israel, is seven-branched. Eight branches remind us of the eight-day miracle of oil; and, the appropriate numbers of candles are kindled each day. The ninth branch (in the center with four branches on either side) stands out. It is used to light the other candles and is called the shamash (Hebrew for “servant”). The menorah is lit after dark, usually in connection with a festive meal.

After the blessings are said it is traditional to sing holiday songs. Then it’s time to enjoy the meal with its traditional foods. Because of the miracle of the oil, it is customary to eat foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (Israeli doughnuts). It may not be the best for our diets but it is a delicious way to remember the miracle of God at Hanukkah!

Another reminder of the miracle of this holy day is the game of dreydels. These wooden or plastic tops have different Hebrew letters on each of their four sides: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin standing for the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (“A Great Miracle Happened There.”) There is an interesting story behind the dreydel.

It is said that the Jewish children of Judea during the Maccabean period wanted to study Torah, but the anti-Semitic policies of the Syrians made this difficult. They came up with a creative answer: they would study the scrolls in the streets until a foreign soldier came. Then they would quickly hide the scroll, bring out the dreydels, and pretend to be engrossed in a game of tops! When the soldier left, the Torah study would begin again.

In modern celebration, dreydels are played with for fun. Each Hebrew letter has its own value for keeping score. Children are given Hanukkah gelt (money); which is usually foil-covered chocolate coins they use to wager with and make the game more interesting.

More recently, the custom of giving gifts has found its way into the celebration of this joyous festival. Many families give real Hanukkah gelt (money) to children, perhaps 25¢ for each year of their age. There is nothing wrong with these traditions. They are a Jewish adaptation in response to the Christmas gift-giving custom.