History
What does the word “Hanukkah” (or “Chanukah”) literally mean in Hebrew?
Dedication
What is the name of the special nine‑branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah?
The menorah, more specifically called a hanukkiah
What is the most traditional fried potato dish eaten on Hanukkah?
Latkes (potato pancakes).
In which city is the giant “National Menorah” lit each year near the White House to mark Hanukkah in the United States?
Washington, D.C.
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of which holy place?
The Second Temple in Jerusalem.
What was the central Jewish holy site recaptured and rededicated during the Hanukkah story?
The Temple in Jerusalem
How many candles are lit on the first night of Hanukkah, including the helper candle?
Two – one regular Hanukkah candle plus the shamash
Hanukkah foods are often fried in oil to commemorate which miracle?
The miracle of the oil in the Temple lasting eight days instead of one.
In Berlin, Germany, a huge public menorah is lit each Hanukkah in front of which famous landmark, as a symbol of Jewish survival after the Holocaust?
The **Brandenburg Gate**.
What miracle is Hanukkah most famous for commemorating?
A small amount of oil, enough for one day, miraculously burned for eight days.
In what century BCE did the events that led to Hanukkah take place?
In the 2nd century BCE
What game is traditionally played with a four-sided spinning top on Hanukkah?
The dreidel game.
Besides potatoes, name one other vegetable sometimes used to make Hanukkah latkes.
Common answers: sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, or cauliflower.
What is the name of the Jewish community in eastern Uganda that observes Hanukkah along with the rest of the Jewish calendar?
The Abayudaya.
What is the spinning top played with during Hanukkah called?
A dreidel.
How many days is Hanukkah celebrated, and what does this number recall historically?
Eight days, recalling the eight days the oil miraculously lasted and possibly the eight-day rededication festival.
What type of food is especially common on Hanukkah because of its connection to the oil miracle?
Foods fried in oil, especially latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
What sweet topping is especially popular on sufganiyot in Israel?
Powdered sugar (often over jelly- or chocolate-filled doughnuts).
Italian Jews (especially in Rome) often celebrate Hanukkah with fried pastries similar to doughnuts. What are these treats commonly called?
Fritelle (also known in some places as bomboloni).
What do the four Hebrew letters on a dreidel stand for (in Hebrew words)?
Nes Gadol Haya Sham” – “A great miracle happened there.”
In which ancient Jewish text are the military events of Hanukkah primarily described, even though it is not part of the Hebrew Bible?
The Books of 1 and 2 Maccabees.
In which direction are Hanukkah candles placed in the hanukkiah, and in which direction are they lit?
Candles are placed right to left, but they are lit left to right, starting with the newest candle.
What type of oil is most commonly used today for frying Hanukkah foods, even though the original Temple oil was olive oil?
Vegetable oil (such as canola or sunflower); though olive oil is also used.
Which Jewish community from Ethiopia only began widely celebrating Hanukkah in modern times, after increased contact with other Jewish communities and immigration to Israel?
The **Beta Israel** (Ethiopian Jews).
Which ancient empire did the Maccabees revolt against, leading to the events of Hanukkah?
The Seleucid (Syrian-Greek) Empire.