Advent 2010

December 8

We already mentioned it last Saturday: Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is currently observed around the world. One of the traditions of the Festival is to light candles, one additional in each of the eight nights, and in this is very similar to the Christian Advent calendar, but even more similar to the Advent wreath, where an additional candle is lit on each Sunday. The very important Hindu, Sikh and Jain holiday of Diwali, which happened in November this year, also is a great festival centering around lights in this time of the year, for five consecutive days. However: All three, Diwali, Christmas, and Hanukkah not only revolve around lights, but are also very important holidays for families to gather and strengthen their ties. And so it shouldn't take wonder that many traditions are indeed unique for or at least centered on the family. One of the Hanukkah family traditions is the game of dreidel: A four-sided top is spun and the side which faces up when the top stops determines how many game pieces the current player may take out of the common pot or has to put into it. Today, we want to appreciate this game by presenting Andreas' very own interpretation of the dreidel game, and we wish all of you who celebrate it, a very Happy Hanukkah!