At sunset of November 28 this year, millions of Jews around the globe will be celebrating Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights. The holiday lasts for eight days and is a commemoration of significant historical events in Jewish history. Here are some fun facts  you should know about Hanukkah, so the next time you visit Israel during the holiday season, you can immerse yourself in the local culture.

What Is the Festival Celebrating?

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees’ victory over the Greek Syrian army.

The battle was fought in the second century B.C. for religious freedom. The dates of the festival change every year because the Hebrew calendar determines it. It is celebrated at the end of the Hebrew month of Kislev.

Where Is It Celebrated?

Everywhere! Especially in Jerusalem it is common to see giant ‘hanukkiah’ candelabras everywhere you go. The most common tradition is lighting a hanukkiah each night of the eight day holiday. Families in the Jewish community have hanukkiahs in their homes, while organizations may light up bigger ones in public. The streets in the old city are full of lit menorahs, and the bakery shops smell of freshly baked sufganiyot (stuffed donuts).

If you’re in New York, you can see some of the largest menorahs at the Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan and in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Furthermore, the Jewish quarter in Rome will remind you of the streets in Jerusalem. You’ll find hanukkiah lighting ceremonies, food festivals, and a lot of traditional celebrations.

How Is It Celebrated?

Apart from lighting the hanukkiah, many other exciting things happen during the 8-day festivities. Playing dreidel (a game using a spinning top), giving gifts to family and friends, and having foods that call for a lot of oil in the recipes are some of the other typical things to do during Hanukkah.

Traditional Hanukkah Foods

There is no holiday without people savoring delicious foods. Hanukkah brings out the best of people in terms of food. Along with the sufganiyot, another traditional food is potato latkes which are a form of potato pancakes. The original candelabra that was lit in the ancient Temple was lit with oil, and so using oil in the foods eaten during the festival today the root of this tradition.

If you want to experience Hanukkah like no place else, then you should visit Israel to immerse yourself in the festivities. There is no better way to enjoy the culture of a country than to visit during a fun holiday.

People in Israel speak Hebrew, and it is advised to pick up a bit of the language to enhance your experience. If you want a trusted linguistic provider to help you learn Hebrew, then contact Ulpan-Or. We are an Israel-based language provider specializing in Hebrew digital courses.  

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