Like many faith-based holidays, Chanukah celebrations are rife with rich symbolism. Some of it we just take for granted without asking what the real meaning behind it is. Here are a few of the most prominent Chanukah symbols and what they mean.
The MenorahChanukah is essentially a celebration of the second dedication of the temple at Jerusalem. Since the temple had been desecrated, there was only enough proper olive oil to keep the temple's menorah (which has seven branches) lit for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days and nights, which is why the Chanukah menorah has eight branches. The longer, middle stem is called the shamash and holds a candle that is used to light the other eight.
Photo by shlomaster, sxc.hu
On the first night of Chanukah, the shamash is used to light the first candle, all the way to the right. For each night afterward, one more candle is added, from right to left. They are then lit left to right, starting with the newest candle. This is usually done just as the stars appear, but it can be done at other times of night. The candles are allowed to burn down until they extinguish naturally.
Dreidel
A dreidel is a four-sided top used for a game on Chanukah. On each side of the dreidel, there is a Hebrew letter painted on or inscribed. The letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin are an acronym for
Nes Gadol Haya Sham, "a great miracle happened there." In Israel, the fourth letter is Pei, standing for the word Po, rendering the phrase "a great miracle happened here."
Here are the rules for dreidel gameplay:
Any number of people can take part in this game.
- Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15). They could be pennies, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, matchsticks, etc.
- At the beginning of every round, all participants put one game piece into the center "pot." Every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one in the pot.
- On your turn, spin the dreidel once. Depending on the outcome, you give or get game pieces from the pot:
- Nun means nisht, or "nothing." The player does nothing.
- Gimmel means gantz, or "everything." The player gets everything in the pot.
- Hey means halb, or "half." The player gets half of the pot (the "bigger half" if there is an odd number).
- Shin (outside of Israel) means shtel, or "put in." Peh (in Israel) means "pay." The player adds a game piece to the pot.
- If you lose all your game pieces, you are either "out" or may ask a fellow player for a "loan."
- The round ends when one player has won everything.
GeltGelt is Yiddish for "money." Chanukah gelt is given to children during the holiday as both a festive gesture and a learning tool; children are taught the importance of charity and good deeds. It is usually given as small coin amounts, though sometimes a larger monetary gift is given for Chanukah. Chocolate gelt is also popular, wrapped in gold foil with a menorah stamped on it.
Photo by Simeon, sxc.hu
These colors do not have specific significance to Chanukah as a holiday or historical event, but they are the colors of the Israeli flag. A talith, or prayer shawl, is blue and white, and that is how the flag came to be so colored. Some speculate that the blue is to remind the faithful of the sky and God. Others say that Aaron (Moses' brother) had a blue staff. Whatever the reason, all can agree that a little color livens things up!