More About Chanukah: The Festival of Lights

(Note: Below you'll find Chanukah customs #3 to #5. If you haven't yet seen ideas #1 and #2, we suggest you click here for this page of Hanukkah customs first.)

Chanukah Custom #3: Food

The most popular Chanukah foods are those that use oil. The oil reminds us of the oil which miraculously burned in the Temple for eight days instead of just one.

One of the traditional favorite foods is Potato Latkes, and here is the recipe:

5 potatoes, peeled
1 onion
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Shred or grate potatoes and finely chop the onion. Squeeze out excess liquid. Mix in the eggs, then salt and pepper, and finally the flour. Heat about 1/3" of oil to medium. Drop the latke mix in spoonfuls, and fry until golden brown. Be patient; flipping too much will burn the outside. Drain and serve hot with applesauce or sour cream. (Yields: 4 to 6 servings)

Chanukah Custom #4: Gelt

An early custom was the giving of money to children (called gelt, and sometimes made from chocolate).

Chanukah Custom #5: Gifts

Exchanging presents is one of the most anticipated aspects of Chanukah. Many families give one present for each of the eight nights of the celebration, sometimes with each night's gift more grand than the one before. It is especially common to give gifts each night to children.

Click here for some great ideas for Hanukkah gifts.