2006-09-18 07:44:03 · 8 answers · asked by curious1 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Hanukkah
Yes you can--Hannukkah or the "Festival of Lights" is a celebration of what many saw as a miracle from God as the limited oil for the lamps lasted 8 days--yet there was not enough for 8 days.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria and overlord of Palestine.
Different traditions of playing games and giving gifts were added to the celebration after the Menorah candles were lit and the prayers said. Hanukkah means "to dedicate" and the focus is on the miracle just as Christ is the main focus at Christmas (for many).
2006-09-20 01:15:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can give 7 little gifts and 1 big one! Originally only money was given known as "Hanukkah gelt" (coins), and it was only given to children! However, today, pretty much anything goes....In my home, we gave 1 big gift the first night, then 6 small gifts..ending with another big gift the last night. Hope that helps!
2006-09-21 03:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by iamkaze 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think many of us must agree to disagree. Traditions of today depend on the family you are in. Gelt was given as the only gift years ago but today because of the proximity to Christmas, Chanukah has become a gift-giving occasion. Many people of non-Jewish religions think of Chanukah as our major holiday, which is not true. Chanukah is a very minor holiday in reality.
I grew up in a home where we did get smaller gifts on the first seven nights and the big gift on the eighth night.
2006-09-22 00:55:19 · answer #3 · answered by janisko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Jew, I speak from experience when I say "NO" you can not give seven little gifts and one big gift. what are you trying to do? Are you trying to teach the children nowadays that it is permitted? You my friend are a fake and also not a Jew. Only Jews know what are the purposes of Hanukkah and how many gifts are allowed. The correct number of gifts that are allowed is one big one and no little ones.
2006-09-20 10:36:57 · answer #4 · answered by soar_2307 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes you can the gifts are just an addition you dont have to give any gifts but its a nice thing to do
2006-09-18 22:58:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is exactly what is normally done!
Candies, chocolates, little toys... and 1 "real" gift. Jewish children aren't that spoiled to get 7 big gifts... although I wish I did. :)
2006-09-18 14:52:05 · answer #6 · answered by boris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the above and books make wonderful "little" gifts too.
2006-09-20 00:06:56 · answer #7 · answered by jansu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can give or not give as you want, seeing as how gifts werent traditionally given. anyway, hannukah isnt a big holiday.
2006-09-20 11:37:31 · answer #8 · answered by saimhain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋