Hanukkah (Day 8) in Israel

History:

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. It celebrates the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the miracle of a small quantity of oil, enough for one day, which lasted for eight days in the temple's menorah.

Traditions:

• Lighting Menorah: On each night of Hanukkah, a candle is lit on a special candelabrum called a menorah (or hanukkiah). By Day 8, all eight candles are lit.
• Special Prayers: Additional prayers and hymns, such as "Haneirot Halalu" and "Maoz Tzur," are recited.
• Dreidel: Playing with a dreidel (a four-sided spinning top) is a common pastime. Each side bears a Hebrew letter forming an acronym for "A great miracle happened there."
• Foods: Eating foods fried in oil, like sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes), to commemorate the miracle of oil.
• Gelt: Giving children Hanukkah gelt (money or chocolate coins) to enhance their joy.

Activities on Day 8:

On the final day, often called Zos Chanukah ("This is Hanukkah"), families in Israel will:

• Gather for the lighting of the eighth candle.
• Enjoy family meals with traditional foods.
• Engage in giving, often concluding with gift exchanges or charitable acts.
• In some communities, there may be public celebrations or concerts, especially in areas with large Jewish populations.

This day marks both a reflection on traditions passed down through generations and a celebration of religious freedom and miracles.