Holiday traditions are different in every culture but the food traditions are extremely fascinating as with the Hanukkah traditions in the Jewish community. Hi my name is Brenda Johnson and I would like to share a few holiday traditions from within the Jewish community.
According to the Jewish Publication Society, Hanukkah is the story of a great victory of the Jews over the Syrian-Greeks. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks.. According to the Talmud, after the Temple had been cleaned and the Priests were ready to light the Temple menorah, they could find only one jug of oil that was fit to use. This was only enough for one day, but it lasted for eight. This is why Hanukah is eight days long. For eight days beginning on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev they light the menorah to celebrate the victory and the miracle of Hanukah.
Like many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has accompanying food traditions. Fried foods like "sufganiyot" (jelly-filled doughnuts) and"latkes" (potato pancakes) are especially popular, as are dairy foods.
Like every other festival in the world, Hanukkah celebrations come with its own set of food traditions.
According to Leah Leonard (a Jewish cook) Potato Latkes are potato pancakes. The oil which is used to fry the latkes are symbolic of the oil that kept the menorah ablaze for eight
