How do you spend the day "Hanukkah"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for a total of eight days in either November or December (this is because it follows the lunar calendar). This Jewish holiday is celebrated by lighting a candle each night on a candelabra called a menorah. On the first night, one candle is lit, on the second night, two candles are lit, etc. Even though the holiday lasts for eight days, there are nine candles on the menorah. This is because the ninth candle (the candle in the middle of the menorah) is used to light the other candles and is commonly known as the servant candle. Gifts are also given during this time, usually one each night until the holiday is over and different games are played; a common game that is played is called "dreidle." This game is a gambling game where someone spins a four-sided top and whatever side lands face-up, determines what you have to do. Depending on the symbol, you can either get nothing, get half of the pot, have to put something into the pot, or you win the entire pot. Hanukkah is a special holiday for Jewish people that reminds them of the rededication of a temple in Jerusalem, where the Jews overthrew the Syrian Greeks thousands of years ago.
