Hanukkah rituals?

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

I am not Jewish but am curious about what rituals Jewish families have during Hanukkah. I am curious about food restrictions, the lighting of the Menorah, who gives who gifts, as well as any special things your families do during this time of year. I'm also curious if Santa is included in any of your celebrations. Can you shed some light on your Hanukkah rituals and festivities?

I'm not trying to start a religious debate or anything--I'm just curious about others rituals, so if this topic is forbidden, please close the post.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Traditional Hanukkah rituals include lighting the Menorah with the appropriate blessings. That is the single most important ritual of Hanukkah. It's also traditional to cook and eat foods in oil such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). That's because we're celebrating the oil lasting for 8 nights rather than 1.

In my family, I have a book that has 8 stories of how Jews overcame persecution throughout history. We read a story each night. Throughout the year, my kids put away tzedakah (charity) money from their allowance each week. This time of year, they donate it with DH and I matching their contributions. They're still trying to decide where to send it this year.

Hanukkah is a relatively minor Jewish holiday. It's only in the United States that it's become big and commercialized. In many countries, particularly Israel, presents are not a big deal and often are not given.

And no, Santa has nothing to do with Hanukkah as Santa is not part of Jewish heritage at all. My kids wouldn't stand for Santa to be a part of our traditions.

 

[JLTraveling]

My dad is Jewish and my Mom was Christian, so I was raised in a blended family. The extended family on each side was strong in their respective faiths.

Dad says that when he was little, they did have Santa Claus. Grandma felt that it was a secular tradition that had nothing to do with the Christian celebration, so she just incorporated it. There were three boys, each roughly two years apart. Their tradition was that each night of Hanukkah brought a progressively bigger gift. The first night was always gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil) and a dreidel (a sort of spinning top). The second night was usually something needed, like socks and underwear, and nights 3-8 were "fun" gifts. I understand in a lot of households, night 8 might be something like a video game system and nights 3-7 might be games or accessories for it. Since they also had Santa Claus, though, in Dad's family the 8th night "big gift" was more moderate--maybe a book or something in that price range. On Christmas morning, then, Santa Claus brought toys.

As a kid, I got the best of both worlds. My Jewish grandma didn't do Santa Claus for me, since I got that at home, so instead she did the traditional 8-night ramp up to a big present. My parents lit the candles every night, and I got a little something each night, but most of my presents came for Christmas.

As an adult, I still celebrate Hanukkah with my dad. Now it's mostly about the candle lighting, but we still exchange gelt on the first night and give each other a smallish present on the last night. It's just fun.

As for the Menorah lighting, it's supposed to be done at sundown, although in my experience that's rarely exact anymore. You start with one candle plus the shamus. The shamus is used to light the other candles. Each night you add another candle, always from right to left, because that's the way the Hebrew language is written. After you light the candles, there's a short blessing to recite. Any present exchanges are typically done after the blessing but before the candles burn down. As mdsoccermom mentioned, foods fried in oil, particularly latkes, are common. But there's not a huge ritual with lots of food like there is for Passover.

The above are just my personal experiences and observations in Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations. I would imagine that traditions vary widely.

 

[mdsoccermom]

My dad is Jewish and my Mom was Christian, so I was raised in a blended family. The extended family on each side was strong in their respective faiths.

Dad says that when he was little, they did have Santa Claus. Grandma felt that it was a secular tradition that had nothing to do with the Christian celebration, so she just incorporated it. There were three boys, each roughly two years apart. Their tradition was that each night of Hanukkah brought a progressively bigger gift. The first night was always gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil) and a dreidel (a sort of spinning top). The second night was usually something needed, like socks and underwear, and nights 3-8 were "fun" gifts. I understand in a lot of households, night 8 might be something like a video game system and nights 3-7 might be games or accessories for it. Since they also had Santa Claus, though, in Dad's family the 8th night "big gift" was more moderate--maybe a book or something in that price range. On Christmas morning, then, Santa Claus brought toys.

As a kid, I got the best of both worlds. My Jewish grandma didn't do Santa Claus for me, since I got that at home, so instead she did the traditional 8-night ramp up to a big present. My parents lit the candles every night, and I got a little something each night, but most of my presents came for Christmas.

As an adult, I still celebrate Hanukkah with my dad. Now it's mostly about the candle lighting, but we still exchange gelt on the first night and give each other a smallish present on the last night. It's just fun.

As for the Menorah lighting, it's supposed to be done at sundown, although in my experience that's rarely exact anymore. You start with one candle plus the shamus. The shamus is used to light the other candles. Each night you add another candle, always from right to left, because that's the way the Hebrew language is written. After you light the candles, there's a short blessing to recite. Any present exchanges are typically done after the blessing but before the candles burn down. As mdsoccermom mentioned, foods fried in oil, particularly latkes, are common. But there's not a huge ritual with lots of food like there is for Passover.

The above are just my personal experiences and observations in Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations. I would imagine that traditions vary widely.

Shamash. It's shamash, not shamus.

 

[geffric]

We light candles and say prayers each night. On Sunday, we go over to my brothers house for a family gathering including latkes..present wise we do gelt on the first night for the kids..nothing else.

This year, DS#1 is in college, so he will do something with the Hillel on campus..

 

[cappygirl]

The best part is, that when the candles are burning we do nothing but hang out together and sit by the candles; eating, talking, and exchanging gifts. It's forces us to have family time

Actually, the best part might just be the donuts