There are many holidays that are celebrated around the world and I wanted to be able to experience a holiday in different country.  I decided I wanted to experience Hanukkah in Israel where the history of Hanukkah began.

Today is December 20th and is the first day of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and begins with the lighting of a candle at sundown that is placed in a candle holder called the menorah.  The candles are lit with another special candle called the Shamash.  During each of the eight days another candle is lit until all candles are lit on the eighth day.

Hanukkah represents the Jewish people’s freedom from a king named Antiochus that did not allow the Jewish people to practice their religion.  They chose to celebrate for eight days and nights which is how long their harvest festival took place.
Oil is a very important symbol for Hanukkah.  Oil was present at the first celebration when there were no candles and was told to keep the light burning for eight days. There was not a lot of oil and the Jewish people were concerned that it would not last for the eight days, but a miracle happened and the oil did last the eight days. That is why oil is a very important part of the Hanukkah celebration. Food is prepared in oil and many menorahs are still lit with oil.

Today there is a large celebration in Jerusalem to begin the Hanukkah holiday season.  A torch is run from the Israeli city of Modiin to Jerusalem were the menorah will be lit. Hanukkah is celebrated very different in Israel than in the United States. In the United States gifts are given during the holiday, but here in Israel there are no gifts only some chocolates or dreidels may be given.  In Israel families spend a lot of time with each other and participate in prayer celebrations.  After the lighting of the menorah we will be heading off to a festival where the holiday season is celebrated with food, music, dance and cultural events.

I am so full from eating potato latkes and jelly donuts; they were SO yummy!  I have had so much fun today learning about Hanukkah and seeing the fun festivals and very large menorah that was lit today. I look forward to going back tomorrow and seeing the second light being lit on the menorah.  It is such a happy time and place.

Do you celebrate Hanukkah?  How does your family celebrate?

Photo Credit:
Hanukkah - Margaret Edwards