Wishing You a Happy Hanukkah 2021 from Brent’s Deli

In the Jewish community, there are various celebrations, occasions, and festivals. You may have already heard about the Passover Seder Dinner in which Jewish families gather around the dinner table to celebrate the Passover Day on the 15th Day of Nisan (Hebrew calendar). But with the start of the holiday season, families are preparing for Hanukkah. It is a traditional festival that falls on a different date each year.

Hanukkah is a Jewish eight-day celebration. Did you know that Hanukkah commemorates Jerusalem’s recovery in 2nd BCE? The festival features multiple traditions, dinners, and activities. This explains why some of the best delis in the region cater food for this event.

A Complete Overview of the Hanukkah Holiday (Chanukah 2021)

If you look it up on the internet, you will see that the Hanukkah festival commemorates Jerusalem’s Second Temple’s rededication during 2nd BCE. Moreover, it restates the ideals of Judaism. Happy Hanukkah celebrations came to be during 165 BC at the hands of Judas Maccabeus, who defeated Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king.

Antiochus invaded Judaea to try and outlaw Judaism in the region. His defeat marked the reaffirmation of Judaism beliefs. The main method of celebration on this historical day involves special prayer recitals, generous food catering, and menorah lighting every night for the eight days that follow.

Hanukkah 2021

When is Hanukkah 2021?

You should know that Hanukkah preparations are in full swing because Hanukkah 2021 will fall on Sunday, November 28. Following that date, the celebrations for Hanukkah 2021 will end on December 6, Monday. The most important thing to know is that every year, this festival falls on a different date of the Gregorian calendar because Jewish families celebrate it according to the Hebrew calendar.

On the 25th Day of Kislev (ninth Jewish month), Jews begin to celebrate the Hanukkah holiday. Since it is an eight-day celebration, Hanukkah ends on the second day of the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, Tevet. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, and it follows the cycle of the moon to calculate days and nights. Meanwhile, the widely used Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar that operates based on the cycle of the sun.

What’s the History behind Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, has a brief history that marks its significance as a historical Jewish celebration. During the 2nd BCE, Syrian Greeks ruled Jerusalem, the homeland of Jews. These Greek rulers tried to outlaw Judaism and enforce Greek culture upon the people of the region. Moreover, the rulers oppressed Jews to the extent where they were forced to act on Greek religious beliefs in place of the traditional belief in One God and mitzvah. But, a group of poorly-armed Jews claimed the land and drove the Syrian-Greek rulers out of the region under the leadership of Judah “the Maccabeus.”

The reclamation of the Holy Temple was a big event as the poor Jews rededicated the Temple to the service of God. However, when the people tried to light the menorah, only a small portion of olive oil was free from Greek contamination. The people lit the menorah from a small quantity of olive oil, and the menorah remained lit for eight days.

What are Hanukkah Traditions?

There are several valuable traditions at the heart of the Hanukkah holiday. The main tradition on this day involves lighting up the menorah with candle flames. Menorahs are usually present in the window or doorway and hold nine flames. One out of the nine flames, known as attendant “shamash,” kindles the other eight lights as far as the traditions go. One candle has to be lit every night, and until the end of the tenth Hebrew calendar month, all eight candles have burnt.

Before lighting the menorah, the Hanukkah blessings are recited and traditional songs are sung after lighting. The far-right candle is the first to burn. It marks the initiation of the Hanukkah holiday, after which families light up the candles following to the left of the first one.

What Should You Know About the Hanukkah 2021 Food?

Traditional Meat Food Items

Once you light the Hanukkah menorah collectively, you can begin your traditional Hanukkah meal with your family and guests. The traditional meals are more favored on Friday than on any other night as it is Hanukkah’s Shabbat. Brisket is one of the most popular dishes that is prepared for the table during the traditional Hanukkah dinner. If you are looking for the best-served Jewish brisket dish for your Hanukkah dinner, you can check out Brent’s Deli’s catering services.

Brisket is popular because it provides a rich, warming, and comfortable taste during the winter season. From green vegetables and latkes to roasted chicken, The is a love to have the best food on the table for their traditional Hanukkah dinner. If you’re trying to avoid the hassle of cooking a Hanukkah dinner, you can order food from a reputable business. Brent’s Deli offers food catering services in Los Angeles County and surrounding neighborhoods.

Traditional Fried Food Items

Fried food items are the life of the Hanukkah dinner. You will find potato pancakes, which are called latkes, and also levivot. Latkes combine onion, flour, seasoning, and egg to form small pancakes that are fried in oil. The crispy potato pancakes taste fantastic with sour cream, but some people prefer it with applesauce as well.

While potato pancakes are among traditional fried food items, there are numerous recipe variations as well. Jewish families experiment with traditional flavors or have their own variations of dishes, and preparing them is part of Hanukkah celebrations. You can find extensive mixes of the traditional potato pancakes latkes. Additionally, Hanukkah dinner also features latkes made with cauliflower, Moroccan spice blends, also known as “ras el hanout,” and pumpkin.

There is another highly sought-after Hanukkah dinner fried food item. It is the Sufganyotes which are jelly-filled doughnuts of an amazing kind. Offering a rich taste and a flavorful blend of the fruit essence, the Sufganyotes are a traditional food served on Hanukkah. Children and adults alike enjoy this tasty treat on the day of Hanukkah.

Also Read: Jewish Deli Catering For Holidays & Special Events