American Holidays - Hanukkah

hi everyone I'm Alisha Chanukah is the most popular Jewish holiday in the

United States it falls on a date determined by the Jewish calendar but is

often very close to Christmas making for a natural association between the two

holidays it's also called the festival of lights and commemorates the

rededication of the temple by the Maccabees in the 2nd century BC a

particular toy is associated with Hanukkah do you know which one will show

you the answer at the end of this video Chanukah is one of the most important

Jewish holidays and is one that most people in the United States are very

familiar with the distinctive menorah a candelabra that is kindled as part of

the celebration is commonly associated with the holiday by most people Jewish

or otherwise gift-giving is also sometimes a part of this holiday even

though Hanukkah is not as widely celebrated as Christmas in the United

States it's a holiday that most people are cognizant of and many non-jewish

people who have Jewish friends do participate in it to some extent the

holiday is also sometimes celebrated by secular Jews to keep the holiday season

alive for non-religious reasons the name festival of lights comes from

the story behind Hanukkah according to tradition the lights in the temple were

able to keep burning for eight straight days despite only having enough oil to

keep burning for one day this tradition is remembered today by the lighting of

the menorah this is the Hanukkah tradition with which most non-jewish

people are familiar and the menorah is widely known in the United States as an

emblem of Jewish people a Hanukkah gelt is a small quantity of money

traditionally given at this time of year chocolate coins though they possess no

monetary value have become popular over the years as well and now here's the

answer to the quiz do you know which toy is associated with Hanukkah the dreidel

a particular type of top with which a game is associated is a traditional

activity for children during this time of year the dreidel is very commonly

recognized as a symbol of the Jewish people in the US

how is this lesson did you learn something interesting

are there any holidays with religious significance in your country please

leave a comment in English class 101.com until next time

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