Hanukkah 2019 will begin in the evening of Sunday, December 22 and the centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the menorah, a candelabrum that holds nine candles. Eight of those candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed. And the ninth candle, called the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
Here are some fun Hanukkah facts you may not know:
- Since there is not an exact English equivalent for the sounds made by the Hebrew characters in the word, you’ll see Hanukkah spelled different – from Hannuka to Chanukah. All are correct.
- Ancient Hebrews used oil in the menorah. Over time, candles were substituted.
- Hanukkah is celebrated around the world for eight days and eight nights.
- This traditional holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees or Israelites over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus about 2200 years ago.
- Every night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is placed in the Menorah from right to left. It’s thenlit from left to right. On the last night, all the candles are lit.
- To commemorate the Festival of Lights, families will eat foods fried in oil like latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), kugel (noodle or potato casserole), and gelt (chocolate coins).
- The letters on dreidels actually spell an acronym. Before the revolution, Jews weren’t allowed to read the Torah, so they used a toy to pretend to gamble…but each of the four sides of a dreidel has a Hebrew character: Nun, Gimel, Hay, and Shin. The letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” with means “A great miracle happened there.” That refers to the miraculous, long-lasting oil!
Both hand dipped Hanukkah menorah candles and birthday candles are just small taper candles that are available in variety of similar dimensions making them interchangeable.
The Fort Schuyler Trading Company is sponsoring a 100% Pure Beeswax Hanukkah Candles and 100% Pure Beeswax Birthday Candles Giveaway!
In addition, Crooked Brook is throwing in one, Sweatshirt Blanket (Royal Blue) and two, 7002 Liberty Bags P & O Cruiser Tote Bags (White/ Royal).
Here’s what’s in this awesome prize pack:
- Twelve approximately 5½” x ¼” diameter 100% Pure Beeswax Birthday Candles valued at $12.00.
- Twelve approximately 5½” x ⅜” diameter 100% Pure Beeswax Hanukkah Candles valued at $15.00.
- One 50” x 60” Sweatshirt Blanket (Royal Blue) valued at $21.00.
- Two 7002 Liberty Bags P & O Cruiser Tote Bags (White/ Royal) valued at $12.00.
Total value of this prize pack: $60!
Anne Perry
Thursday 19th of December 2019
Avoiding GMO's will help your gut health.
Anne PErry
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
Chickens can see in different directions with each eye. One eye looks for food, the other watches for danger.
Anne Perry
Tuesday 17th of December 2019
We are decorating our yule log today.
Amy D
Sunday 15th of December 2019
We celebrate Hanukkah, and I would love these beeswax candles for our menorah. My daughters would also love that cozy blanket.
LeAnn Harbert
Friday 13th of December 2019
Cows don't have any teeth on top in the front.