Hanukkah 2016 is one of the largest holidays in Jewish culture.
Many liken it to Christmas due to the proximity of the events between the two dates, but Hanukkah is not the biggest holiday in Jewish culture. However, it is still a time-honored tradition that commemorates rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem when the Maccabean Revolt took place.
The holiday will coincide with Christmas Eve and New Year’s this year as it will begin on Dec. 24 and end on Jan. 1. The first of the eight days that will make up Hanukkah 2016 is honored with the first candle of the menorah that is lit at sundown of that day. Similar rituals will take place over the coming days.
A Jewish blessing is uttered at the time of the lighting of the candle that translates roughly to: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment.”
One of the best-known traditions of Hanukkah consists of the dreidel, a gambling game that attracts children. The holiday includes some delicious food items, including donuts known as sufganiot, potato latkes (pancakes), mandelbrot (similar to biscotti), and rugelach (which resembles croissant pastry with different fillings).
The name Hanukkah comes from a Hebrew verb that means “to dedicate.” A number of rituals take place during the holiday, including daily prayer service over the eight days.
