Hanukkah is one of the most recognizable Jewish celebrations of the year, but many people still have questions about how it is celebrated, what the traditions mean, how the candles are lit, what gifts are appropriate, and what Judaica is commonly used during the eight nights.
This guide answers common Hanukkah questions in one place, from the story of the miracle to practical questions about Hanukkiah lighting, gifts, dreidels, foods, children, and Jewish home traditions.
For Hanukkah Judaica, gifts, and menorahs, explore the Hanukkah Collection at Orot Judaica.
What is Hanukkah and why do Jews celebrate it?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash and the events surrounding the victory of the Chashmonaim over the Greeks.
According to Jewish tradition, when the Beit HaMikdash was purified, only a small amount of pure oil was found for the Menorah. The oil was sufficient for one day, yet it continued burning for eight days.
The miracle of the oil is one of the central reasons Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.
Today, the holiday is marked through the lighting of a Hanukkiah, reciting special prayers, singing, eating foods associated with oil, giving children Hanukkah gelt, and spending time with family.
Is Hanukkah the same as the Festival of Lights?
Yes. Hanukkah is commonly known as the Festival of Lights because lighting the Hanukkiah is the central visible mitzvah of the holiday.
Each evening, an additional light is added until all eight Hanukkah lights are burning on the final night.
The growing light has also become a powerful symbol of Jewish continuity, faith, and the ability of spiritual light to overcome darkness.
What is a Hanukkiah?
A Hanukkiah is the special menorah used for Hanukkah.
It has places for eight Hanukkah lights, representing the eight nights of the holiday, plus an additional light called the shamash.
The shamash is used to light the other lights and is normally positioned separately or at a different height.
What is the difference between a Menorah and a Hanukkiah?
The terms are often used interchangeably in everyday English, but they are not technically identical.
The Menorah in the Beit HaMikdash had seven branches.
A Hanukkiah, used specifically for Hanukkah, has eight places for the Hanukkah lights plus the shamash.
For shopping purposes, many people search for terms such as “Hanukkah menorah,” “Jewish menorah,” and “Hanukkiah,” so you will often see all of these terms used when describing Hanukkah Menorahs and Hanukkiahs.
How many candles do you light on Hanukkah?
On the first night of Hanukkah, one Hanukkah light is lit.
On the second night, two are lit.
This continues until eight lights are lit on the eighth night.
The shamash is additional and is not counted as one of the eight Hanukkah lights.
In what order do you place and light Hanukkah candles?
A common practice is to place the candles from right to left, adding the newest candle on the left.
When lighting, the newest candle is lit first, moving from left to right.
Because customs can differ, anyone with a specific halachic question should follow their family custom or ask a qualified rabbi.
When should Hanukkah candles be lit?
The exact time depends on halachic custom and location.
Many families light around sunset or after nightfall, depending on the minhag they follow.
The purpose is to perform pirsumei nisa — publicizing the miracle.
Anyone unsure about the correct lighting time should follow their own community or rabbinic guidance.
How long should Hanukkah candles stay lit?
Hanukkah lights should remain burning for the halachically required amount of time after the appropriate lighting period.
Because the exact timing can depend on custom and circumstances, it is best to use candles or oil that will burn long enough and follow reliable halachic guidance.
Explore Hanukkah Candles & Lighting Accessories
Can you use the light from Hanukkah candles?
The Hanukkah lights are not intended for ordinary practical use.
This is one reason the shamash is used as an additional light.
The lights are meant to be viewed in connection with the mitzvah and remembrance of the miracle rather than used as regular household lighting.
Why do some families use oil instead of candles for Hanukkah?
Oil directly recalls the miracle of the oil in the Beit HaMikdash.
For that reason, many people prefer using olive oil for Hanukkah lighting.
Others use candles.
Both oil Hanukkiahs and candle Hanukkiahs are commonly used depending on tradition and personal preference.
Shop Oil Hanukkiahs
Where should a Hanukkiah be placed?
The Hanukkiah is traditionally positioned in a place where the lights can help publicize the miracle.
Depending on the home and family custom, this may be near a window, doorway, or another appropriate location.
Safety is also important. The Hanukkiah should be placed on a stable surface, away from flammable materials and where children cannot easily knock it over.
Why do Jews play dreidel on Hanukkah?
The dreidel has become one of the most familiar Hanukkah traditions.
A common explanation connects the game with periods when Jewish Torah study was restricted under Greek rule. According to tradition, children used games as a way to disguise Torah learning.
Today, dreidel is played as a family Hanukkah activity and is especially popular with children.
What do the Hebrew letters on a dreidel mean?
Outside Israel, dreidels commonly show the letters:
Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin.
These represent the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham” — “A great miracle happened there.”
In Israel, the final letter is often Pei instead of Shin, representing “Nes Gadol Hayah Po” — “A great miracle happened here.”
Why do Jews eat latkes on Hanukkah?
Latkes are traditionally fried in oil.
Eating foods prepared with oil is a way of remembering the miracle of the oil associated with the Beit HaMikdash.
This is one reason foods such as latkes and sufganiyot have become so strongly connected with Hanukkah.
Why do Jews eat sufganiyot on Hanukkah?
Sufganiyot are also traditionally fried in oil.
Like latkes, their connection to Hanukkah comes from the symbolism of oil.
Different Jewish communities developed their own food traditions, but oil-based foods remain among the most recognizable Hanukkah customs.
What is Hanukkah gelt?
Hanukkah gelt refers to money traditionally given during Hanukkah, especially to children.
Today, the custom can include coins, gifts, chocolate coins, or money.
Families may also use the opportunity to teach children about giving tzedakah and sharing with others.
Do Jews give gifts on Hanukkah?
Many Jewish families give gifts during Hanukkah, although gift-giving customs vary widely between communities and families.
Some give small gifts each night, while others give one larger gift or focus primarily on Hanukkah gelt.
Jewish gifts connected to the holiday, Shabbat, tefillah, Torah, or the Jewish home can be especially meaningful.
What are good Hanukkah gifts for adults?
Good Hanukkah gifts for adults can include Judaica they will actually use throughout the year.
Ideas include:
-
Hanukkiahs
-
Kiddush Cups
-
Shabbat Candlesticks
-
Mezuzah Cases
-
Hebrew Siddurim
-
Tehillim
-
Challah Boards
-
Havdalah Sets
-
Jewish Home Décor
-
Personalized Judaica
Rather than choosing a generic seasonal gift, Judaica can connect the gift to Jewish life beyond Hanukkah itself.
Explore Jewish Gifts for Adults
What are good Hanukkah gifts for a Jewish couple?
For a couple, shared Judaica is usually a strong choice.
A Hanukkiah, Kiddush Cup, Challah Board, Shabbat Candlesticks, Birkat HaBayit, Mezuzah Case, or Havdalah Set can become part of their home and be used throughout the year.
These gifts are especially appropriate for newlyweds, engaged couples, or couples establishing a Jewish home.
Shop Judaica Gifts for Couples
What are good Hanukkah gifts for a Jewish family?
Family gifts are best when everyone can enjoy or use them together.
A Hanukkiah, Shabbat table item, Jewish wall décor, Havdalah set, Challah board, or game-related Hanukkah item can all work well.
For families with children, dreidels and age-appropriate Jewish gifts can add to the holiday atmosphere.
What are good Hanukkah gifts for kids?
Children often enjoy gifts connected directly to the holiday.
Ideas include dreidels, Hanukkah-themed items, small Judaica, books, and age-appropriate Jewish gifts.
For older children, a personalized Siddur, Tehillim, or another Judaica item may also become a more lasting gift.
What is a good Hanukkah gift for a religious Jewish family?
For a religious Jewish household, practical Judaica can be especially appropriate.
Consider a Hanukkiah, Siddur, Tehillim, Shabbat item, Havdalah item, Mezuzah case, Netilat Yadayim cup, Challah accessory, or another traditional item that fits their religious practice.
When buying books or Siddurim, it is important to check Nusach and language before ordering.
What is a good Hanukkah gift for someone who already has a Hanukkiah?
If the recipient already owns a Hanukkiah, think about complementary Judaica.
Possible ideas include Hanukkah candles or oil accessories, Shabbat items, Kiddush Cups, Havdalah accessories, Mezuzah Cases, Hebrew books, Judaica wall décor, or personalized prayer books.
This helps avoid giving them a duplicate of a major item they already own.
Can I give personalized Judaica for Hanukkah?
Yes. Personalized Judaica can make a Hanukkah gift feel more individual.
Select Siddurim, Tehillim, prayer books, and other Judaica items can be personalized with name embossing.
A Hebrew name or English name can turn a useful religious item into a more personal keepsake.
Is a personalized Siddur a good Hanukkah gift?
Yes, especially for someone who davens regularly or does not yet have a personal Siddur.
A personalized Siddur combines religious usefulness with a personal touch.
Before ordering, make sure you know the recipient's Nusach.
Is Tehillim a good Hanukkah gift?
Yes. A Hebrew Tehillim can be a meaningful gift for men, women, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and many others.
Tehillim is not specific to Hanukkah, which is actually an advantage: the gift can continue being used throughout the year.
What is a good Hanukkah host gift?
If you are invited to a Hanukkah party, dinner, or candle lighting, a small Judaica host gift can be more meaningful than a generic household item.
Possible choices include a wine stopper, Challah accessory, Shabbat table item, Jewish home décor, or small sefer.
Explore Jewish Host & Hostess Gifts
What is a good Hanukkah gift for newlyweds?
Newlyweds often need Judaica for their new home.
A Hanukkiah is particularly appropriate during Hanukkah, but you can also consider a Kiddush Cup, Challah Board, Shabbat Candlesticks, Mezuzah Case, Birkat HaBayit, or Havdalah Set.
Shop Jewish Wedding & Newlywed Gifts
What is a good Hanukkah gift for a new Jewish home?
For someone who recently moved, choose something that contributes to Jewish life in the home.
A Mezuzah Case, Birkat HaBayit, Hanukkiah, Shabbat Candlesticks, Netilat Yadayim Cup, Kiddush Cup, or Challah Board are all natural choices.
Shop Jewish Housewarming Gifts
Can Hanukkah gifts be affordable and still meaningful?
Yes.
The meaning of Judaica comes from how it is used, not only from its price.
A small Tehillim, a Mezuzah Case, a Shabbat item, or another simple piece of Judaica can become part of someone's Jewish life for years.
For budget-friendly ideas, see our Jewish Gifts Under $15 and Jewish Gifts Under $20 guides.
What should I buy if I do not know much about Judaica?
Start with items that do not require detailed knowledge of Nusach, religious custom, or size.
A Hanukkiah, Jewish home décor, Kiddush Cup, Challah Board, wine stopper, or gift card may be easier than choosing a Siddur or other item that depends on personal religious practice.
If you are unsure, an Orot Judaica Online Gift Card allows the recipient to choose the Judaica that is right for them.
What should I check before buying a Hanukkiah online?
Before buying a Hanukkiah, check:
-
Whether it is designed for candles or oil
-
Its dimensions
-
The spacing and stability of the candle or oil holders
-
The material
-
Whether the shamash is clearly separated
-
Whether it suits the space where it will be used
-
Shipping time
-
Customer reviews
Design matters, but safety and practical usability matter too.
Can I buy a Hanukkiah as a wedding gift?
Yes.
A Hanukkiah is a particularly meaningful Jewish wedding gift because it can become part of the couple's annual Hanukkah tradition.
It can also work well as an engagement gift, Sheva Brachot gift, or first-Hanukkah-together gift.
Shop Hanukkiahs for Couples & Newlyweds
Is Hanukkah a major Jewish holiday?
Hanukkah is one of the most widely recognized Jewish celebrations, although its halachic status differs from Torah-based Yom Tov festivals such as Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Despite that distinction, Hanukkah has a major place in Jewish communal and family life because of the mitzvah of lighting, the story of the Chashmonaim, Hallel, Al HaNissim, and the publicizing of the miracle.
What prayers are added on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah includes special additions to the regular tefillah.
Al HaNissim is added in the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon, and Hallel is recited.
The exact nusach and procedures should be followed according to one's Siddur and community custom.
Is there work restriction on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is not a Yom Tov with the same general prohibition of melachah found on Shabbat or Torah festivals.
However, some women traditionally refrain from certain forms of work while the Hanukkah lights are burning, as a way of honoring the mitzvah.
Specific customs vary.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated for eight days?
The eight days correspond to the miracle in which the limited supply of pure oil continued burning for eight days.
The holiday therefore lasts eight days, with the number of lights increasing each night.
Why is light so important in Hanukkah?
Light is both the physical center of the mitzvah and one of the strongest themes associated with Hanukkah.
The Hanukkah lights recall the miracle of the oil, but they also represent the endurance of Jewish faith, Torah, and identity during a period of religious pressure.
That is why the mitzvah focuses not only on lighting, but also on making the miracle visible.
What is the main message of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah carries several interconnected messages: Jewish continuity, commitment to Torah, gratitude for miracles, religious courage, and the ability of spiritual light to endure even under pressure.
Different families may emphasize different aspects of the story, but the lighting of the Hanukkiah keeps the memory of the miracle visible from generation to generation.
Where can I buy Hanukkah Judaica and Jewish gifts online?
Orot Judaica offers Hanukkiahs, Hanukkah Judaica, Jewish gifts, personalized Judaica, Siddurim, Tehillim, Shabbat items, Mezuzah Cases, Kiddush Cups, Jewish home décor, and gifts for individuals, families, couples, and special occasions.
Whether you are shopping for your own Hanukkiah, a Jewish family, newlyweds, children, hosts, or someone receiving Judaica for the first time, you can choose a gift based on how it will actually be used.
Frequently Asked Hanukkah Questions
How many nights is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah lasts for eight nights.
How many candles are used on the last night?
Eight Hanukkah lights are lit, plus the shamash.
What is the ninth candle called?
It is called the shamash.
Can I use a regular menorah for Hanukkah?
A Hanukkiah must be suitable for properly arranging the Hanukkah lights. A decorative seven-branched Menorah is not the same as a Hanukkiah.
Do Hanukkah candles go from left to right?
A common custom is to place the lights from right to left while adding the new light on the left, and then light beginning with the newest light.
What food is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah?
Foods prepared with oil, especially latkes and sufganiyot, are among the most popular Hanukkah foods.
What are common Hanukkah gifts?
Hanukkiahs, Judaica, Jewish books, personalized gifts, dreidels, gelt, and Jewish home items are common choices.
What is a meaningful Hanukkah gift for adults?
A useful piece of Judaica such as a Hanukkiah, Siddur, Tehillim, Kiddush Cup, Mezuzah Case, or Shabbat item can be especially meaningful.
What is a good Hanukkah gift for a couple?
A Hanukkiah, Kiddush Cup, Challah Board, Candlesticks, Mezuzah Case, or Jewish home gift can all work well.
Can I personalize a Hanukkah gift?
Select Orot Judaica products can be personalized with name embossing.
Celebrate Hanukkah with Meaning
Hanukkah is more than candles, dreidels, and food.
It is a celebration of Jewish continuity, Torah, family, memory, gratitude, and the light that Jewish families continue to carry from one generation to the next.
Whether you are preparing your own home for the eight nights or choosing something meaningful for someone else, explore Hanukkah Judaica, discover Jewish Gifts, browse Personalized Judaica, and find items designed to remain part of Jewish life long after the final Hanukkah light has gone out.
