Hebrew words for Hanukkah

Hanukkah Card Set - Traditions and Values for the Little Ones

Shalom dear parents,

Today we'd like to introduce you to an exciting way to introduce your toddlers to the topic of Hanukkah. We've put together a special set of 20 words to help them learn while having fun.

The Torah calls us to pass on knowledge and teach our children. Therefore, it's important that we as parents support our little ones and explain the meaning of Hanukkah to them. With our set of cards, you can do just that!

Each card contains a different term related to the festival of Hanukkah. From traditional foods like latkes and sufganyot to symbolic objects like the Hanukkah menorah and dreidel, there are a variety of exciting terms to discover.

Take time together to go through the terms and explain what they mean to your little ones. Encourage them to ask questions and explore their curiosity. This interactive method allows children to learn through play and retain information more easily.

To make things even more exciting, you can also play little games with the cards. For example, you could turn them into a memory game where the little ones have to find pairs of words. Or you could lay out the cards in order and have the children tell the story of Hanukkah.

Remember that learning doesn't have to be limited to the Jewish holiday. You can also use the cards on other days to review what you've learned and help your little ones better understand what Hanukkah means.

We hope our Hanukkah card set helps you introduce your children to the concepts surrounding this wonderful holiday. Together, you can enjoy a wonderful time filled with fun and learning.

Hanukkah Symbols | 20 Cards

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The meaning of the terms

Here's a summary of the meanings of the terms on the cards. Feel free to use these explanations when your children ask you what the cards mean.

Dreidel

The dreidel is a special Jewish toy that we like to use during Hanukkah. It looks like a spinning top and has Hebrew letters on it. When you spin the dreidel, you can win chocolate money or nuts—a fun tradition for the festive season!

Gelt

Hanukkah gelt are small chocolate coins that we eat during Hanukkah. Not only are they delicious, but they can also be used as stakes in the dreidel game.

Beyt Hamikdash

The Beit Hamikdash, or Temple in Jerusalem, was the place where the Lord was worshipped. This Temple was conquered and defiled by evil men. Brave Maccabees liberated the Beit Hamikdash. Hanukkah commemorates that the light in the Temple shone for eight days, even though oil was actually only available for one.

Shemen

"Shemen" is the Hebrew word for "oil." Specially prepared olive oil was used to light the menorah in the Temple. When the Maccabees recaptured the Temple from their enemies, they found only a small amount of ritual oil left, which would normally have lasted only one day. But by a miracle, this oil burned in the menorah for a full eight days.

Menorah

The menorah was a seven-branched candelabra in the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah's lights were never allowed to go out. The miracle of Hanukkah refers to the reinstatement of the lit menorah after the recapture of the Temple. Today, we use hanukkiot instead of the menorah.

Hanukkiah

The Hanukkah menorah is a special lampstand used during Hanukkah. It has nine candlesticks, one for each night and an additional one for the shamash (service candle). Each night during Hanukkah, another candle is added to celebrate the joy of the miracle of the oil in the Temple.

Shamash

The shamash is the special service candle in the Hanukkah menorah. During Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, and its flame is used to light the other candles.

Ner

"Ner" means "light" or "candle" in Hebrew. "Nerot" (lights) play an important role during Hanukkah. The Hanukkah menorah used during the festival has eight candles, or "nerot," representing the eight days during which the miracle of the oil occurred in the Temple. Each night, another candle is lit to increase the light and joy.

Or

"Or" means light in Hebrew. The Hanukkah light reminds us that there is always hope, just like the small miracle of the oil in the Temple that kept the light burning for eight days.

Nes

The miracle ("Nes") of Hanukkah isn't just about the oil in the Temple. It's also about the miracle of the brave Maccabees, who fought against a larger army and achieved victory. In the dreidel game, the combination of four Hebrew letters spells out the phrase " Nes gadol haya sham," which means "A great miracle happened there."

Magen David

The Magen David (Star of David) is a significant symbol in Jewish tradition. The six-pointed star commemorates King David, after whom it is named. In the story of Hanukkah, the Magen David symbolizes the heroic bravery of the Maccabees, who fought for the freedom of their faith.

Yehudi

Yehudi simply means "Jew" in Hebrew. It is a word for people of Jewish descent who practice the faith. In the context of Hanukkah, Yehudi can be seen as the counterpart to the Greeks, the "Yewonim."

Mishpacha

"Mishpacha" means family in Hebrew. During Hanukkah, families often gather together to light the menorah, eat latkes, and celebrate Hanukkah.

Latkes

Latkes are delicious potato pancakes often eaten during Hanukkah. They are fried in plenty of oil until golden brown, evoking the miracle of oil in the Hanukkah story. Today, no Hanukkah meal can be imagined without latkes. Many families fry the pancakes together and use the time to recount the story of Hanukkah.

Sufganya

"Sufganya" is a doughnut traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. This doughnut is a deep-fried dough ball filled with jam. Similar to latkes, sufganya commemorate the joy of the miracle of oil in the Temple during Hanukkah. Sufganya are very similar to German Berliners or Faschingskrapfen (carnival doughnuts).

Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish yeast bread eaten during Shabbat and other festive occasions, including Hanukkah. The bread is baked in various shapes, usually braided or round.

Shirei Hanukkah

Many songs are sung during Hanukkah. These songs often tell stories about the Hanukkah miracle, the brave Maccabees, and the victory of light over darkness. Some well-known Hanukkah songs include "Maos Tzur" (Rock of My Fortress), "Hanukkah, O Hanukkah," and "Sevivon" (The Dreidel).

Matana

The word "matana" in Hebrew means "gift." Gifts are exchanged during Hanukkah. Most families prepare eight small gifts so that something nice can be unwrapped on each of the eight days.

Simchah

"Simcha" means "joy." Hanukkah is a joyful holiday. The traditions and food make us happy and help us enjoy Hanukkah, just as our ancestors did in the time of the Maccabees. The traditions and food make us happy and help us enjoy Hanukkah, just as our ancestors did in the time of the Maccabees.

Torah

The Torah is the heart of Judaism and forms the basis of Jewish faith and religious life. Long ago, under the Maccabees, people were forbidden to read the Torah and follow its commandments. The Maccabees fought to regain this freedom.