Eight Nights of Light
Noah and his family celebrate Hanukkah, lighting one more candle each night — and Noah learns to play dreidel.
On the first night of Hanukkah, Noah's family gathered around the menorah by the window.
A Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles. There is one for each of the eight nights, plus a helper candle in the middle, called the shamash, which lights the others.
Dad lit the shamash, and Noah used it to light the first candle. The family sang a blessing together while the little flames danced.
"Why is Hanukkah eight nights long?" Noah asked.
His mom told him the story. Long ago, the Jewish people wanted to relight the lamp in their holy Temple, but they only had enough oil for one day. Amazingly, the oil lasted for eight days. "So every year," she said, "we light candles for eight nights to remember that miracle."
Then it was time for latkes — crispy potato pancakes fried in oil. Noah ate his with applesauce. His sister ate hers with sour cream. They both agreed: latkes were delicious.
After dinner, Grandpa pulled out a small spinning top with four sides. "This is a dreidel," he said. "Each side has a Hebrew letter. Let's play!"
They each got a pile of chocolate coins. Spin, spin, spin! Depending on which letter landed face up, you might get nothing, get the whole pile, get half, or have to add a coin.
Noah spun and won the whole pile! Then he lost most of it back to his sister. Everyone laughed.
Each night, the family lit one more candle. By the eighth night, all nine candles glowed brightly in the window for the whole street to see.
Noah looked at the shining menorah. "It keeps getting brighter," he said. His mom squeezed his hand. "Just like hope does."
⭐ The End ⭐
💬 Talk about it
- How many candles does a Hanukkah menorah hold?
Show answer
Nine — eight plus the helper candle, the shamash. - Why is Hanukkah celebrated for eight nights?
Show answer
To remember oil for one day that lasted eight days. - What are latkes?
Show answer
Crispy potato pancakes.
