Winter Lights

by Shelby Katz

December 8, 2012, or the 25th of Kislev, is Hanukkah, according to the regular and the Jewish calendars. Since the Jewish calendar is shorter, Hanukkah falls on a different date, in December, each year. 

Every year, the Jewish people keep special traditions such as, cooking everything in oil, lighting the menorah, saying prayers, having a big feast, and going to temple. A favorite event of the Jewish community is the giant menorah (Hanukkiyah) that is lit by the Rabbi. Lighting the menorah is a special task because it is done in a certain way. The first night, a candle (shamash) is placed in the middle and one candle to the far right on the menorah. Each day after, a candle is added to the left of the far right candle. This symbolizes the miracle with the oil. The lighting of the candles is usually done right before sundown (if it’s the Shabbat) or just after sundown and prayers are said. The shamash is lit first and then is used to light the rest of the candles, from left to right. Following this sacred tradition, the Jewish family celebrates with a feast. This is repeated for eight consecutive nights. Gift giving usually accompanies the celebration.