About the Eight-Day Festival of Hanukkah
When the Greeks ransacked the temple in Jerusalem (165 BC) and put up idols, the Jewish people rebelled. The Jews under Judah Maccabee gathered an army of farmers and shepherds, and they fought back against Antiochus, the Greek leader.When the Jews regained the temple, they only found one small container of oil -- only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. The oil miraculously lasted for eight days and nights.
Lighting a menorah,
playing with dreidels and eating potato pancakes and donuts are traditional
ways to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. Every night, Jews light a candle
on a nine-branched menorah. People light one candle on the first night and an
additional candle each following night.
Fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes)
and doughnuts are special treats this time of year. Parents give presents or
traditionally coins and nuts to children. Children play the dreidel game with
Hebrew letters on a spinning top. ~Devorah Stone
Hanukkah/Chanukkah recipes and treats
Traditional LatkesYam LatkesCinnamon ApplesauceFast Orange DoughnutsSoofganiot - Hanukkah DoughnutsMore Hanukkah recipes
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