+1lisab said:It might be Happy Hanukkah, Happy Chanukah, Chanukkah, or Chanuka...for all I know it could be Chappy Hanukkah.
Whatever it's called, I hope all our Jewish PFers have a wonderful holiday!
Near as I can tell, there are eight of these holidays strung together. Last night was Hanukkah and tonight we celebrate Chanukah. We keep it up til we run out of variations. Let me wish a Christmas that is joyish, to our friends who are goyish,lisab said:It might be Happy Hanukkah, Happy Chanukah, Chanukkah, or Chanuka...for all I know it could be Chappy Hanukkah.
Whatever it's called, I hope all our Jewish PFers have a wonderful holiday!
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated for eight days and nights, usually falling between late November and late December on the Gregorian calendar.
Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, each night for eight nights. Traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) are also eaten. Families also exchange gifts, play dreidel (a spinning top game), and gather for special meals.
The menorah is a symbol of the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Second Temple. According to the story, when the Jews reclaimed the temple from the Greeks, they found only enough oil to light the menorah for one night. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight nights, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.
Yes, there are several religious customs associated with Hanukkah. These include reciting special blessings when lighting the menorah, saying the Hallel prayer, and attending special synagogue services. Some families also have the custom of giving charity during Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is a religious holiday that celebrates a specific event in Jewish history, whereas Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. While both holidays involve gift-giving and special traditions, they have different historical and religious origins.