Chanukah Gelt– Where does the custom of "Chanukah gelt" (of giving money to children) come from? My understanding is that the practice of giving presents is adapted from the non-Jewish holidays which occur in the same season. Is it just a non-Jewish…More »
December Dilemma– Every year I am challenged as a mother by the proximity of Chanukah to Christmas, especially in a year like this where the two actually coincide. How can our candles possible compete with their stunning display of colorful lights, gift-filled…More »
Dreidel Game– I read that some students in New York beat the world record for dreidel spinning, with 618 people simultaneously spinning dreidels. As a kid I remember playing a game where everyone spins a dreidel and then gets to take money…More »
Blessings on Rabbinical Mitzvahs– On Chanukah and Purim, we say the blessing, Asher Kidishanu - "Which God has commanded us..." Yet aren't those words inappropriate, given that nowhere in the 613 mitzvahs of the Torah are these holidays mentioned.More »
Do-It-Yourself Menorah– I live in North Vancouver, Canada and I have looked everywhere for Chanukah candles - but to no avail. Either the stores are all out of them, or their supplier cannot get them. Any help would be appreciated.More »
Eight Miraculous Days– My daughter came home from school with this question, and I don't have anybody to answer it: Why is the first night of Chanukah also considered a miracle if there was originally enough oil to burn for the first night…More »
You Know More Hebrew Words Than You Think
