Tomorrow, at sundown, marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights or Hanukkah (or Chanukah, Chanukkah or Chanuka). By most standards, this is not a significant holiday for those who practice Judaism, but it is fun for the kids — oh and the latkes! (Until this morning, I did not know that it’s traditional to eat fried food during this holiday, to commemorate the miraculous oil that lasted eight days and eight nights. Learn something new every day.)
[laurabooks]
In honor of Hanukkah, I bring you some numbers that are important to this holiday. Enjoy!
6.6 million: Estimated Jewish population in the U.S. in 2011
2.1: Percent of the entire U.S. population in that year
8: Days and nights of Hanukkah, and a number of days that a one-day supply of oil miraculously burned during the time of the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees.
25: The day of the Jewish month of Kislev, on which Hanukkah is celebrated each year
9: Including the shammus — or service — candle, number of candles in a menorah
3: Number of blessings recited during the first night of Hanukkah
2: Number of blessings recited during all other nights of Hanukkah
30: Minimum number of minutes the Hanukkah candles should burn each night
44: Total candles lit (including the shammus) overall eight days.
4: Number of Hebrew letters inscribed on a dreidel
92: Approximate number of years that American chocolatiers have been making chocolate gelt.
4: Number of potatoes required for Debbie Koenig’s most delicious latke recipe. (My favorite one I’ve ever tried!)
19: Number of celebrities mentioned in Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah Song.
2: Number of those who are not Jewish
What other numbers are important to Hanukkah? Share them in the comments section.