Hanukkah, also called The Feast of Lights, is celebrated for eight days, beginning the twenty-fifth day of the Hebrew month, Kislev. The holiday celebrates miracles, first the Maccabees' victory in battle over tremendous odds in the struggle for the right to enjoy religious freedom. When the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem after they defeated the more powerful Syrians, they found the Temple in shambles, but there encountered a second miracle. The oil in the Temple lasted for eight days when there was only enough for one day. The message of this holiday is easily understood by Americans who also had to make a decision to stand up for their individual rights against the British and who were willing to live with this most dangerous decision. Because of their determination we live in a country founded on political and religious freedom.
This is a home-based holiday which revolves around lighting candles, one additional one each night until all eight are illuminated to celebrate the Feast of Lights. Children are given candy, Hanukkah gelt or money, and they play with a top or dreidel which has one of four different Hebrew letters on each side. The dreidel dates from when Antiochius forbade Jews to study the Torah and ordered them to become Greeks, the reason that the Maccabees fought the Syrians. Jewish children memorized their Bible and when the Syrian soldiers neared they pulled out tops and pretended to play. Today, the dreidel is used in a gambling game where each letter instructs whether to claim the main pile of coins or candy being played for, take half, give half, or do nothing. The winner outlasts the others and winds up with their goodies. Hide and seek games, looking for candy, coins, etc. are also popular reenacting the Maccabees' necessity of hiding from the Syrian army in the caves of Israel.
Decorating the house for Hanukkah has to include the Menorah, or candle holder which has places for eight candles and one more, the shammash, or servant candle which is used to light the others. Aromas of the holiday include that of potato latkes, which traditionally are cooked in oil to remind those present of the oil in the Temple which burned for eight days; and of harvest foods and nuts.
A feast of roasted beef or fowl is also traditional. Do prepare the Pot Roast the day before and reheat the day of Hanukkah to allow the flavors to meld and free the oven for other tasks. It is a truism that pot roasts age well in opposition to the rest of us. With the pot roast, we are suggesting Potato Latkes that are baked, not fried, served with the traditional applesauce and sour cream. The vegetable is fresh green beans, flavored with a hint of garlic and thyme, then tossed with toasted almonds. For dessert, we suggest tuiles (tulip-shaped molded cookies) filled with fresh winter fruits. The tuiles are a bit tricky to make, but they make such a lovely presentation that they are well worth the extra effort. Tuiles should be baked a few at a time since they must be molded while still warm.
A trip to the Temple store, or local library for information will provide children's books, decorations, and ideas for small gifts and wraps. You can also get ideas by looking through a large department store's holiday catalogs.
Do remember though that Hanukkah, as a holiday, need not compete with other winter celebrations. Rather this family holiday is one of pride, a Feast of Dedication, because the Temple was rededicated after the battle had been won. It is a happy time for family and friends to make memories and share of themselves with others, to give and receive small gifts expressing their joy of being free and their right to choose what they believe is right and stand by that decision. It is a holiday of lights and pride in one's history and heritage.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
