Jewish holiday( Hanukkah ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Jewish holiday( Hanukkah ) - Essay Example Each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish children receive gifts and one candle is lit on the eight-candle Menorah which is placed in a window so others can be reminded of the holiday. Jews say three blessings on the first night then two blessings the other seven nights as they light the candles. The light from the candles cannot be used for any purpose other than to display the light. For instance you can’t light a cigarette off one or even read by the light. Besides the lighting of the menorah, traditions include spinning a dreidel, a toy that looks like spinning top and eating foods, particularly fried foods. The dreidel is generally wooden and has four sides, each with a Hebrew symbol. Chocolate coins called â€Å"gelt† is given as a reward during the game. The lighting of the Menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil that kept lamps burning for seven days longer than they should have after a temple was liberated from oppressors who had stolen all of Jew’s oil. The oil in fried foods such as Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufaniyot (jelly donuts topped with powdered sugar) also commemorate the oil miracle. Hanukkah is Hebrew for â€Å"dedicate† because the temple was being rededicated following a