The first day of Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights and is celebrated around the world. Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration, starting on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually falls sometime in November or December.
The first day of Hanukkah is an important day. It is a time of celebration and religious observance, often marked with a family gathering and traditional foods, such as potato latkes and jelly donuts.
On the first day of Hanukkah, the members of the family gather together and light a special nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah, which is a symbol of the eight nights of the holiday. They say a special blessing, often the Shehecheyanu or Hanerot Halalu, and then light the candles while singing traditional Hanukkah songs.
They often exchange small gifts and continue to light the menorah each night of Hanukkah with special prayers.
What do families do on first night on Hanukkah?
Families that celebrate Hanukkah typically begin their celebration on the first night by lighting the Hanukkah menorah, or nine-branched candelabra. On each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit until the menorah is all lit up.
A family member says a special blessing, typically over a cup of wine, before they light the candles.
After the menorah is lit and the blessings are said, families begin their celebration with a traditional Hanukkah feast. The center of this meal is typically a potato latke, a potato pancake traditionally served with apple sauce or sour cream.
Other dishes typically served during the meal include noodle kugel, brisket and roasted vegetables. The family may sing traditional Hanukkah songs to conclude the meal.
A major part of the celebration is the exchanging of gifts. On each night of Hanukkah, a child may open one of the gifts that have been received. Other gifts and presents may be given by family and friends.
Playing a traditional game of dreidel is also popular. The game involves spinning a four-sided top, each of which has a letter of the Hebrew alphabet on each side. The game is often used to distribute gelt, a small bag of coins given to the children.
After the meal, singing, and opening of gifts, the family gathers around the menorah and recite traditional Hanukkah prayers. On the first night, this typically includes the Shehechiyanu prayer, thanking God for allowing the family to reach this joyous day.
This concludes the Hanukkah celebration for the night.
What not to give for Hanukkah?
Generally, gifts should have some sort of special or spiritual significance on Hanukkah. Therefore, it’s important to avoid giving gifts that lack purpose and meaning. Some gifts to avoid giving on Hanukkah include:
– Gifts that are not compassionate or charitable, as giving is a central part of Hanukkah.
– Gifts with no practical implications—such as warm socks, a nice robe, or a cozy blanket—aren’t ideal for the holiday.
– Presents that fall out of the spirit of the season, such as video games and electronics, as these tend to be used more for entertainment and are considered of less significance than something spiritually meaningful.
– Gifts that are too impersonal, such as generic items like stationery, coupon books, perfume, and clothes that could apply to any individual.
– Feminine items like jewelry, makeup, and lingerie—these should be saved for personal celebrations, not for the whole family.
Ultimately, consideration should be taken when selecting a gift for Hanukkah. Even if the gift catches attention, without proper meaning and consideration, it is not ideal for the important occasion.
What are first night rituals?
First night rituals involve practices that are typically performed on the night before a wedding ceremony in cultures around the world. These rituals may vary from culture to culture, but often involve special preparations for the bride and groom.
In some cultures, this night is referred to as the “henna night,” because of the traditional application of henna to the bride’s hands and feet. This is also known as the “Mehndi” ceremony, and is a time for family to gather, celebrate and prepare the bride for her new life.
In other cultures, the “first night” is the time when the groom’s family visits the bride’s house and brings a dowry or presents with them to express their well-wishes. The groom’s family will usually be presented with sweets and gifts, and the bride and groom are expected to exchange gifts as well.
Other traditions may include special prayers, lighting of lamps or candles, exchanging of rings between the couple, giving away of presents such as jewelry, and even song and dance.
The most important thing about first night rituals is that it is a time for the couple to share an intimate moment and celebrate their commitment to each other. It is a time for the bride and groom to reflect on their love, express gratitude to their families, and start their lives together with the blessing of their friends and families.
Do families get together for Hanukkah?
Yes, families often get together for Hanukkah, sometimes referred to as the “Festival of Lights”. This special eight-day festival is celebrated by many families around the world and often involves special family gatherings with traditions such as lighting the menorah, giving presents, and of course, eating delicious food.
During Hanukkah, families all over the world celebrate and remember the Hanukkah story as they gather around the menorah to light the candles and recite traditional blessings in Hebrew. On each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit, culminating in eight lights.
Many families enjoy playing the game of dreidel and exchanging presents and eating special treats like sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Hanukkah is a wonderful time for families to come together, even if it may look a little different this year due to the pandemic.
What do they do at Hanukkah for kids?
At Hanukkah kids enjoy a variety of fun activities. One of the most exciting activities associated with the holiday is spinning the dreidel. This traditional game involves spinning a four-sided top with Hebrew letters on each side.
Depending on which letter the dreidel lands on, kids can earn coins, candy, or other treats. Other activities include making Hanukkah-themed arts and crafts, baking traditional Hanukkah foods such as latkes, and decorating the house with items such as candles, garlands and lights.
Traditionally, children also receive gifts of money and chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil called gelt. This is seen as an important part of the festivities and is used to reinforce the importance of sharing and generosity.
What family traditions are associated with Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday that is celebrated annually by millions of people. One of the signature aspects of the eight-day festival, is the observance of family traditions.
Many families have specific activities and celebrations that they bring out only during the period of Hanukkah.
One popular Hanukkah tradition is lighting the menorah. A menorah is a special candelabra with nine branches signifying the eight nights of the festival as well as a Shamash, the special candle that is used to light the other candles.
Families will typically light one candle each night and say a prayer before doing so.
Another popular Hanukkah tradition is playing with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on it. Each side of the dreidel represents the phrase, “A great miracle happened there”, referring to the miracle associated with Hanukkah and the Maccabean Revolt in which a small amount of oil kept a menorah lit for eight days.
The traditional game that you play with a dreidel is called dreidel and is played with coins or candies.
Gift-giving during Hanukkah is also quite popular. Many families opt to give small presents to their families and friends or give each other money in traditional Hanukkah gift envelopes. These gift envelopes often have special decorations and designs depicting the festival.
Finally, there’s the feast. A popular food eaten during Hanukkah is potato latkes, a type of potato pancake. It is also traditional to enjoy doughnuts and other fried foods during Hanukkah. Eating fried foods in remembrance of the miracle of the oil is a great way to celebrate.
No matter how families celebrate Hanukkah, these traditions make the festival meaningful and enjoyable.