Holiday Facts
In Germany there are many different characters for Christmas. Nikolaus comes on December 5th and on December 24th when the actual opening of the gifts is happening ,they have been brought either by Knecht Ruprecht, Weihnachtsmann, or the Christkindl, (Christ child) wich is an angelic child dressed in a white and or golden dress much like a long nightgown. It has wings, and has usually a small horse or a donkey as a companion.
Submitted by Sword
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In Germany and some other western European countries, St. Nicholas , or Nikolaus comes on the night from the 5th to the 6th of Decemer, where children have their boots all shined and clean in front of a door or window. He will leave toys, nuts oranges, apples and chocolate for the good children. The bad child gets a branch to be used by the parents to punish the child.
Submitted by Sword
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Hannukah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights.
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Hannukah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees or Israelites over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus about 2200 years ago.
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A Menorah is a special nine-branched candelabrum, also known in Hebrew as a Hanukkiyyah.
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Each night of Hannukah, an additional candle is placed in the Menorah from right to left, and then lit from left to right. On the last night, all the candles are lit.
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A dreidle, or sivion is a four-sided top that has a Hebrew letter on each side.
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During Hannukah, families eat latkes(potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts), or other foods which are fried in oil, to celebrate and commemorate the miracle of the Festival of Lights.
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In Yemen, children went from house to house, tins in hand, to collect wicks for the Chanukah Menorah.
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In Germany, the eighth and last night of Chanukah used to be very special. All the leftover wicks and oil were lit in giant bonfires. People sang songs and danced around the fire, often until the small hours of the night.
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Traditionally, Chanukah is a time when children are encouraged and rewarded for their Torah studies. Consequently, it became fashionable to give the children Chanukah money and presents during the holiday.
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During the eight days of Chanukah, the entire Hallel (psalms of praise) is said.
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Except in times of religious persecution, the menorah was placed outside the front door or, as is the custom today, displayed in the window of every Jewish home.
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During the eight days of Chanukah, the passage "Al Hanissim", expressing thanks to God for the miracles of Chanukah, is inserted into the prayers.
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Savings bonds, checks, and small chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil-these are the modern incarnations of the traditional gift known as Hanukkah gelt. "Gelt" is a Yiddish term for "money".
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Hanukkah is celebrated in the home beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.
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In ancient times, oil was used in the menorah. Over time, candles were substituted for the oil.
"Silent Night" was first sung as part of a church service in Austria. A guitar was used because the church organ was so badly rusted it couldn't be played.
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Guatemalan adults do not exchange Christmas gifts until New Year's Day. Children get theirs (from the Christ Child) on Christmas morning.
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In North America, children put stockings out at Christmas time. Their Dutch counterparts use shoes.
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In Germany there are many different characters for Christmas. Nikolaus comes on December 5th and on December 24th when the actual opening of the gifts is happening ,they have been brought either by Knecht Ruprecht, Weihnachtsmann, or the Christkindl, (Christ child) wich is an angelic child dressed in a white and or golden dress much like a long nightgown. It has wings, and has usually a small horse or a donkey as a companion.
Submitted by Sword
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Germany and some other western European countries, St. Nicholas , or Nikolaus comes on the night from the 5th to the 6th of Decemer, where children have their boots all shined and clean in front of a door or window. He will leave toys, nuts oranges, apples and chocolate for the good children. The bad child gets a branch to be used by the parents to punish the child.
Submitted by Sword
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hannukah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hannukah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees or Israelites over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus about 2200 years ago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Menorah is a special nine-branched candelabrum, also known in Hebrew as a Hanukkiyyah.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each night of Hannukah, an additional candle is placed in the Menorah from right to left, and then lit from left to right. On the last night, all the candles are lit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A dreidle, or sivion is a four-sided top that has a Hebrew letter on each side.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During Hannukah, families eat latkes(potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts), or other foods which are fried in oil, to celebrate and commemorate the miracle of the Festival of Lights.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Yemen, children went from house to house, tins in hand, to collect wicks for the Chanukah Menorah.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Germany, the eighth and last night of Chanukah used to be very special. All the leftover wicks and oil were lit in giant bonfires. People sang songs and danced around the fire, often until the small hours of the night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traditionally, Chanukah is a time when children are encouraged and rewarded for their Torah studies. Consequently, it became fashionable to give the children Chanukah money and presents during the holiday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the eight days of Chanukah, the entire Hallel (psalms of praise) is said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Except in times of religious persecution, the menorah was placed outside the front door or, as is the custom today, displayed in the window of every Jewish home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the eight days of Chanukah, the passage "Al Hanissim", expressing thanks to God for the miracles of Chanukah, is inserted into the prayers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Savings bonds, checks, and small chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil-these are the modern incarnations of the traditional gift known as Hanukkah gelt. "Gelt" is a Yiddish term for "money".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hanukkah is celebrated in the home beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In ancient times, oil was used in the menorah. Over time, candles were substituted for the oil.
"Silent Night" was first sung as part of a church service in Austria. A guitar was used because the church organ was so badly rusted it couldn't be played.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guatemalan adults do not exchange Christmas gifts until New Year's Day. Children get theirs (from the Christ Child) on Christmas morning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In North America, children put stockings out at Christmas time. Their Dutch counterparts use shoes.
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