Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Hanukkah: A Complex Celebration
The Hanukkah holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights is a Jewish holiday that encompasses eight days of celebration. The holiday was called Hanukkah which translates loosely to “dedication.” The holiday is held to mark the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the Miracle of the Oil witnessed after the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire.
Gifts are exchanged during the celebration of Hanukkah including Hannukkah gelt game (money) which is given to children to encourage them to give part of their wealth to charity. Traditional games including Spin the Dreidel are also part of the Hanukkah celebration.
