Happy Hannukah!

[ufcrusher]

I hope all my fellow yids are enjoying the first night of the festival of lights. Eat some latkes, light your menorah, and kibbitz (spend time/socialize) around with family and friends.

I must admit, I was bad and still need to get some gifts for some members of my family, but thats what the other 7 nights are for! :cheers:

[Lolita]

Happy Chanukah :)
Got my pretty little candles flickering away :)

[Kim]

UF, would you mind telling me a bit about how you celebrate Hannukuh, and some of the meaning behind it? I'm curious, and I don't know anyone who celebrates.

Happy Hannukah!

[bachviet]

Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate. :cheers:

[faither]

Happy Hannukah. Don't forget to take a minute, give thanks and davnen.

[ialsohaveadream]

And seriously, guys....hook a gentile up with some black and white cookies or some gelt.

[ShawnLee]

L'Chaim!

[ufcrusher]

UF, would you mind telling me a bit about how you celebrate Hannukuh, and some of the meaning behind it? I'm curious, and I don't know anyone who celebrates.

Happy Hannukah!

Not entirely sure what to tell you. The history of hannukah is in a nut shell, that after the temple was destroyed and then reclaimed, the jews went to light the menorah that was present yet there was only enough oil to last one night. Amazing, a miracle occurred and the oil that was barely enough to last one night, lasted 8. Hence the 8 days of hannukah is the celebration of the miracle that let the menorah burn for 8 days.

(As I said, this is the extremely condensed, boiled down reason behind the holiday. In fact, there is much more history to it.)

In order to celebrate, jews light a menorah which is a candleabra of sorts with 8 arms, plus one holder (the shamas). Starting from right to left we start with 2 candles, 1 in the arm and then the shamas...adding a new one each night until on the eighth night there is 8 candles plus the shamas.
As you light it, there is a traditional prayer that is said, a braukah. On the first and second nights you add another prayer called the shekyanu.

Traditionally families will have potato cakes, or latkes, to eat. -- I dont recall any rationale for it.

Children also will play with a dreidel, which is a four sided top with different hebrew letters on each side symbolizing different things. Its simply a game that is fun to play, and often played for chocolate gelt (money).

It has now become a custom to give gifts on each of the nights.

Hopefully that gives you the background information you are looking for.

[oblongmelon]

Happy Holiday to you! :) mmm latke!

[Kim]

Thanks, it sounds like a neat celebration!

[caribiner23]

L'Chaim to all.

Since my ex is Jewish, that means my girls are. Every year we do things at my house to honor that part of their heritage, including lighting the menorah and the other traditions.

On Christmas Eve, my older daughter will be making her matzo ball soup, and my younger daughter will be assisting in latke making. :lick:

And nobody better dare use the term "Chrismukkah" around us. :rolleyes: :disa:

[BrewMaster]

one thing I learned as a kid in public school where we celebrated almost every holiday is that Latkes are damn good.

[guiseppewv]

Happy Hannukah!!!!! :cheers:

[BrewMaster]

you should have some Miraculous Jewbelation (http://www.shmaltz.com/) with your candles tonight, courtesy of the folks at Shmaltz.

[Airencracken]

Man, someone needs to hook me up with some matza ball soup. and Latke's. it's been so long... :drool:

Madza ball soup....:confused:

[YanksFanRy]

Happy Chanukah to all! This is my first Chanukah away from home... it's weird. But I have my electric Menorah lit in my dorm.

As for latkes, the reason for eating them is simply that they are cooked in oil. And the lamp that burned for 8 days was an oil lamp. That's why soufganiot (jelly donuts or donut holes) are always traditional for the holiday. Both cooked in oil. :-D And both soooo yummy!