For our Jewish Friends

[dreidel]

Happy Hanukkah Cher!

[danieeeel]

Actuallt it's Chanukkah but you guys can't say CH
so you say HA instead : )

so, Chanukkah (חנוכה) means dedication or inauguration in hebrew.

it symbolize the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after desecration under Antiochus (it happened about 2,000 years ago)..
The Maccabees won and started to dedicate the tample

But, there was a problem!
there was not enough consecrated olive oil to do the dedication - to light the Menorah. was enough to fuel the flame in the Temple for only one day and it was not enough time to get more oil.

And there was a miracle!
the oil that was enough to burn for only one day, burned for eight days!
which was the exact time to get a new consecrate oil.

So Now every year, in every house, people are lighting one more candle each night for 8 days.



Traditions in Chanukkah:

1. After lighting the candles in the Chanukkiyah (image 1) singing this song

2. To eat Sufganiya (image 2). it kind of jelly doughnut, it's tasty but very fatty (image 3 - a women who ate alot of Sufganiyas)

3. Play with the Sevivon (Dreidel) with the words "great miracle happened here" (here as in Jerusalem) writen on him (image 4).

So.. Happy Hanukkah!

[Marie5656]

Originally Posted by danieeeel

Actuallt it's Chanukkah but you guys can't say CH
so you say HA instead : )

!

Oh, I can say it...can just never spell the darn word. Either one of them.
Thanks for the history lesson.

[valerie]

[valerie]

I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play
CHORUS
Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play
It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when it is so tired
It drops and then I win!
CHORUS
My dreidel's always playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let's begin!
CHORUS

Thanks danieeeel - that was informative and funny at the same time

[Marie5656]

Oh Val..thanks for the driedel song. I remember hearing it a long time ago.

[Marie5656]

OK, let me see if I have this right...the holiday began at dusk last night. Did you light a candle last night? Or is the first one lit tonight...the first full day of the holiday??

[cherandbuster]

Originally Posted by Marie5656

OK, let me see if I have this right...the holiday began at dusk last night. Did you light a candle last night? Or is the first one lit tonight...the first full day of the holiday??

The first day of Chanukah is Saturday. Jewish holidays always start at sundown on the evening before. Therefore, the first candle was lit Friday night.

I always get 'funky' Chanukah candles for my menorah. We light the appropriate number of them and then hubby and I say a Chanukah prayer (I always mispronounce the words, he never does )

I am not very religious, but this makes me feel 'connected' to my heritage and my culture

And a warm thank you to all of you for your good wishes

[Marie5656]

So, what is it about these holidays that make us all warm and fuzzy> Is it the tradition and rituals?