the chanukah top 10

Presented by: Date: 1/12/2015Jewish Care Victroria

The Chanukah Top 10

No. 1

It’s not Christmas!Even though Chanukah tends to occur around the same time as Christmas, it is not the Jewish equivalent of Christmas.

No. 2

It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in the second century BCE by the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire

The Maccabees were the leaders of a Jewish rebel army that took control of Judea, which at the time had been a province of the Seleucid Empire.

No. 3 We observe the ‘festival of lights’ by kindling a unique candelabrum, 9 branched menorah or chanukiah, over 8 nights, lighting one additional light on each day. The 9th light, which stands apart is known as the shamash.

They come in all shapes and sizes!Traditional to modern.

No. 4 The story of Chanukah is post biblical and commemorates the miracle where a flask of oil found in the ruins lit the menorah for 8 days when it appeared to only be sufficient for one.

Now that’s what you call efficient!

No. 5 Chanukah has many associated rituals but is not a “Shabbat-like” holy day in that there is no requirement to refrain from activities prohibited on Shabbat

No. 6

There are additions to the daily prayers during Chanukah and we read from the Torah each day.

On the first seven days of Chanukah we read of the sacrifices and gifts offered by the first seven tribal leaders. On the eighth day we read of the offerings of the remaining five leaders, and we continue with the next portion, reading about G-d's commandment to Aaron to kindle the Menorah in the Tabernacle.

No. 7

It is customary to eat fried foods including latkes (pancakes) and doughnuts.

No dieting allowed!

No. 8

The dreidel (or sevivon in Hebrew) is a four sided spinning top with letters printed on each side; ‘a great miracle happened there’. I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clayAnd when it's dry and readyThen dreidel I shall play! ChorusOh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidelI made it out of clayAnd when it's dry and readyThen dreidel I shall play! It has a lovely bodyWith legs so short and thinAnd when my dreidel's tiredIt drops and then I win! ChorusMy dreidel's always playfulIt loves to dance and spinA happy game of dreidelCome play now, let's begin!

No. 9

Chanukah gelt (Yiddish for money) is often given to children.

Parents often give children chocolate gelt to play dreidel with. In terms of actual gelt (money), parents and grandparents or other relatives may give sums of money as an official Chanukah gift.

No. 10

Symbolically Chanukah represents resistance, national identity and religious freedom.

Oh…One More…

There is no correct way to spell Chanukah!

Hannukah

Chanukah

Channukah

Channukkah

Chanukkah

Hanukkah

Hanukah