To those who celebrate Hanukkah

[AlleyKat]

I'd love to know the details/customs that go in to celebrating Hanukkah!

Please explain what festivities you partake in.

Is there a certain time of the day/evening that your Menorah is lit? Do the candles have to stay lit for a specified length of time?

What celebratory foods are prepared? Are they usually reserved for such special occasions?

Does one attend synagogue or temple every day during this time?

Feel free to tell me anything you can as I have a lot of questions concerning this holiday.

Thanks to all who respond!

[RachelEllen]

I'd be glad to answer anything (although I must say I'm curious about why you want to know so much!)

Hanukah is a very minor festival that has gained in importance because of its proximity to Christmas. Traditionally (and I'm sure still amongst the very religious) small gifts of money only were given. There are no special synagouge services.

Menorah candles are lit at sundown and stay lit until they burn out.

Because of the Hanukah story (miracle, oil, etc), traditional Hanukah foods are fried. Potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly doughnuts are the most common.

[AlleyKat]

Originally Posted by RachelEllen

I'd be glad to answer anything (although I must say I'm curious about why you want to know so much!)

I was raised Christian and only knew of one Jewish family growing up. The celebration of Hanukkah seemed/seems so fascinating and "mysterious" to me.

Judaism has always fascinated me but alas, I'm still "in the dark" after all these years!

[monkey68]

Originally Posted by AlleyKat

I was raised Christian and only knew of one Jewish family growing up. The celebration of Hanukkah seemed/seems so fascinating and "mysterious" to me.

Judaism has always fascinated me but alas, I'm still "in the dark" after all these years!

It used to always amaze me to hear people say that, and then I'd remember that not everyone grew up in NY where there are tons of different religions around, or other major areas.

Hannukah is big in the states because people wanted something to compare it to Christmas. It's not a very religious holiday, but it's a fun one. You light the candles at sundown, and add a candle each day. Generally, the kids will get some money or small gifts. You're supposed to eat a lot of fried foods to commemorate the oil.

[bicker]

It's not a very religious holiday...

In Hebrew School, we used to refer to Hanukkah as Ancient Judea's "Flag Day".

[snykymom]

Chanukah is a minor holiday because it's not a Biblical one, like the others are. There are no special services, but a special prayer is added to some of the regular services (Al Hanissim, or For the Miracles).

In addition to fried foods, there is a game that's played with a dreidel (in German) or sevivon (in Hebrew). It's a 4 sided top with 4 Hebrew letters on it: a Nun, a Gimel, a Hey and a Shin (anywhere but in Israel, where the last letter is a Peh). The letters stand for the words Nes Gadol Haya Sham - A great miracle happened there. (In Israel, it's Nes Gadol Haya Po - A great miracle happened here.) It's a cute little game.