Hanukkah Traditions, Explained

What is the meaning of the Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukkia)?

The seven-branched Menorah burned perpetually in the Temple. Only specially-prepared, ritually pure olive oil was used to keep the menorah lit. Jewish tradition says that when the Temple was cleansed and rededicated after its defilement by Antiochus IV, only one small container of ritually pure oil was found. This was enough for only one day, but miraculously it burned for eight! At Hanukkah we commemorate this miracle by lighting a nine-branched menorah, one light for each day of Hanukkah and one light called the Shamash, the servant candle from which the other eight lights are lit. Place your Hanukkah menorah in a window or near the front door so you and others can see its lights and be reminded to give thanks and praise to God for his miraculous intervention on behalf of His people.

Why do we eat fried food during the holiday?

Another way of commemorating the miracle of the oil is by eating fried foods. The two most traditional foods are latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). Latkes are traditionally eaten with applesauce or sour cream. Here is a link to a recipe for classic latkes. Cook some up and don’t forget the applesauce and sour cream! As for sufganiyot, you can purchase them or make them yourself (try this recipe for sufganiyot in a bag).

What is the dreidal game and how did it come about?

Dreidal (also spelled dreidel, from Yiddish) or sevivon (Hebrew) is a four-sided top that is played during Hanukkah. According to tradition, the dreidal was used by the Jews in the days of the Greco-Syrian king Antiochus IV, when they were forbidden from worshipping HaShem or from studying Torah. Despite the prohibitions, the Jews secretly studied Torah. To hide what they were doing, they would conceal the scrolls and pretend to be playing a game with tops. Today each of the four sides of the dreidal is marked with one of the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hey, and shin or pe. These stand for the first letters of each word in the phrase nes gadol hiya sham, which translate to “a great miracle happened there.” In Israel the fourth letter is pe meaning “here”, because the miracle of Hanukkah happened in Israel.

To play the game, every participant needs a dreidel and 10 to 15 coins (real or chocolate). Each player places one coin in the center pot. The first player spins the dreidel. Once the dreidel stops spinning and falls to one of the four sides, look at the letter is facing up. The player then either takes a coin from the pot or gives up a portion of his or her coins based on the following guidelines:

Nun – “nothing” – nothing happens, the turn goes to the next person

Gimel – “all” – take everything in the pot

            Hey – “half” – take half the pot (if the pot is uneven, round up)

            Shin (Pe) – “put in” – put one coin in the pot

Play continues until one person has all the coins.

What is gelt?

Gelt is a Yiddish word that means “money.” At Hanukkah this refers to chocolate coins. It can be given as gifts, used at parties and to play the dreidel game.

Do you give gifts during Hanukkah?

Giving gifts is a relatively modern Hanukkah tradition that arose in the nineteenth century among American Jews due to the prominence in American culture of exchanging gifts at Christmas. While not the most important Hanukkah tradition it is part of American-Jewish Hanukkah tradition. However, gift-giving is largely an American tradition and is not an international Jewish tradition.

This article was written by Academic Dean Rabbi Dr. Vered Hillel.

For more articles about Hanukkah, watch how to do the Hanukkah blessings, read about the history of Hanukkah, learn how to make your own Hanukkiah, read a Biblical argument for Hanukkah, and listen to Hanukkah songs. 

Explore our blog:

A Plea for Humanity

The war in Ukraine has reached the two month mark. Rabbi Klayman reflects on the reasons why we must not let it become the “new normal.”

When Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place…

It is incredible how quickly we can go from the mountaintop of joy to the swampy marshland of depression! At such times we must step out in faith, trusting that HaShem will honor his word, his promise.

A Reflection on Divine Authority

On the one hand, knowing that we have a faithful God is incredibly reassuring! On the other hand, accepting His authority over our lives is incredibly difficult. Rabbi Michael Hillel shares his insights from a recent Bible study on Luke 20:1-8 and how Yeshua’s authority manifests across several Biblical narratives.

The Story Behind the Posner Menorah

You may have seen the iconic photo of a Hanukkah menorah defiantly in the window across from a Nazi flag. For the Hanukkah edition of This Month in Jewish History, Dr. Stan Meyer shares the story behind the photo and how it still touches our lives today.

Light Over Might

Hanukkah is about fighting for political autonomy and religious freedom… right? With our contemporary values, it can actually be difficult to examine the Hanukkah narrative to understand some of the more challenging elements. Rabbi Paul Saal takes a look.

Vayeshev: The Winding Road to Messiah

There are many injustices in the story of Joseph, from his father’s favoritism provoking his brothers’ violent jealousy to the cupbearer forgetting Joseph in prison. How are we supposed to feel in the face of disappointment? Rabbi Elliot Klayman breaks down this week’s parasha.

Favor Elevates Its Giver

After the drama of Jacob stealing Esau’s birthright and blessing—and then absconding to Paddan-aram for 20 years—this week’s parasha sees Jacob having to reunite with his estranged brother. What can this surprising moment of reconciliation show us about our relationships today?

Vayeitzei: The Continuing Journey

The patriarchal narrative continues in this week’s parasha, Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3). We find Jacob on his way tp Haran, seemingly in an attempt to get away from his justifiably-angry elder twin brother Esau, after Jacob had stolen Esau's blessing from their...

Sholem Asch: Introducing Jews to the Rabbi from Nazareth

November, 1880: Sholem Asch, the Jewish author, was born. Dr. Stan Meyer takes a look at his life and the impact he still has on our world today.

The Path Behind and the Road Ahead: A New Journey

The High Holidays are behind us for another year. We have travelled God’s way in those marathon weeks, and it may be tempting for us to settle back into a comfortable, mindless rhythm until Chanukah starts at the end of November. However, from shofar blowing and...

Pin It on Pinterest