Hanukkah (Day 1) in Israel

History and Significance: Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The holiday is rooted in a miracle that occurred when the Jews sought to relight the temple's menorah; they found only enough consecrated oil to burn for one day, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days.

Traditions: On the first day of Hanukkah, several key traditions are observed:

• Lighting the Menorah: A primary ritual involves lighting the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. On day one, one candle is lit after nightfall, with an additional candle added each subsequent night. The central candle, called the shamash ("attendant"), is used to light others.
• Prayers and Songs: Special prayers are recited during Hanukkah, including the "Hallel" and "Al Hanisim." Traditional songs such as "Ma'oz Tzur" are sung after lighting candles.
• Dreidel Game: People play with a dreidel (a four-sided spinning top), especially children. Each side has a Hebrew letter representing "A great miracle happened there."

Activities on Day 1: On the first day of Hanukkah:

• Families gather to light the first candle of their menorahs and celebrate together.
• Special festive meals are prepared featuring foods fried in oil like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) to symbolize the miracle of oil.
• Gifts or gelt (chocolate coins or real money) may be exchanged or given to children.

These traditions set off an eight-day celebration filled with joyous activities emphasizing light, freedom, and faith.