by Maddie C.
Some people think it’s almost the same as Christmas. Looking at the facts, not really. Christmas is celebrated for one day but Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days, starting this year on Tuesday, December 12th and ends on Wednesday, December 20th. Also, they have very differently themed food.
“My favorite food is latkes,” Rachael says. Latkes are potato pancakes that are perhaps best known as traditional Hanukkah food. Made with potatoes, onion and matzah or breadcrumbs, these crispy treats symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah because they are fried in oil.
“I like lighting the candles,” Rachael says,” Most people would probably say presents.” Over the eight days, each day you light a candle on the menorah. They light the eight candles on the menorah because of the miracle of when the Seleucid forces destroyed the Temple by extinguishing the eternal light.
This was really important at the time and people were shocked at what they did. When the Maccabees gained power, they rededicated the Temple but when they relit the eternal light, they found there was only enough oil for the light to burn for only one day.
But when they lit it, it miraculously kept burning for eight straight days! In modern-day menorahs, you light the seven candles to represent the eternal light in the Temple.
With all that covered, not many people travel over Hanukkah like over Christmas vacation.
“Sometimes we have friends over and have a little semi-fancy dinner.” Rachael says,” I do sometimes go to Hanukkah parties because many of my sister's friends are Jewish and they usually have parties. Oh and I’m also going to one this week. I don’t know anyone who’s traveling.”
People rather have parties or invite friends over to celebrate than travel. But she’s visiting her seven cousins, aunts, and uncles and their rescue dog for Hanukkah but they don’t live far away.
“Lighting the candles and saying the prayers.” Rachael says is the most important part of Hanukkah in her opinion,” My family doesn’t do anything special. We light the candles, and play dreidel, and eat latkes.”
Each night they say a different pray and light candles, that’s how her family remembers.
“I don’t think we should have days off of school for Hanukkah.” Says Rachael. Overall, Hanukkah isn’t very closely related to Christmas and is a very memorable, deep, and exciting holiday for everyone!
