Erica's Corner
October / Cheshvan 5769 / 2008
Chanukah is
just around the corner.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins on the
25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and
lasts for eight days. On the secular calendar,
Chanukah generally falls around December.
It marks the miraculous victory of the Jews, led
by the Maccabees, against Greek persecution and
religious oppression.
One of the many traditions of the Chanukah
holiday is playing
dreidel,
a gambling game played with a square top. Most
people play for matchsticks, pennies or
chocolate coins.
The only religious observance related to the
holiday is the lighting of
candles.
The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called
a
chanukkiah
that holds nine candles: one for each night,
plus a shammus (servant) at a different height.
Note that in the Jewish calendar, a holiday
begins on the sunset of the previous day, so
observing Jews will celebrate Chanukah on the
sunset of Sunday, the 21st of December.
This year Chanukah will start on Monday, the
22nd of December and will continue for 8 days
until Monday, the 29th of December. On the evening before each
one of the days, the corresponding number of
Chanukah candles are lit.
It is also a tradition to give gifts, one for
each night of the festival. You can find plenty
of gifts for your loved ones in our
online product
catalogue.
Happy
Shopping, Happy Chanukah!
Erica Marks
Wooden Dreidel in Jerusalem Design
Price £7.00
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