menorah noun A branched candelabrum used in Jewish worship, especially the nine-branched version lit during Hanukkah. The family lit one more candle on the menorah each night of Hanukkah. + dreidel noun A four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally used in a game played during Hanukkah. The children spun the dreidel and cheered whenever it landed on the winning letter. + gelt noun Chocolate coins given as gifts, traditionally during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The children eagerly unwrapped their gelt after lighting the menorah on the first night. + latke noun A fried pancake made from grated potato, traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Her grandmother fried a batch of crispy latkes for the Hanukkah dinner. + sufganiyah noun A round, jelly-filled doughnut traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Bakeries in Israel sell millions of sufganiyot in the weeks before Hanukkah. + candle noun A stick of wax with a wick through the center, burned to produce light. She lit a candle on the dinner table to create a warm, cozy atmosphere. + wick noun The braided cord in a candle or lamp that draws up fuel to be burned as a flame. She trimmed the candle's wick before lighting it so the flame would burn evenly. + miracle noun A surprising and welcome event that seems impossible to explain by natural or scientific laws. Doctors called her recovery a miracle after she survived such a severe accident. + festival noun A day or period of celebration, often with public events, marking a special occasion. Thousands of visitors attended the music festival held along the riverbank each July. + tradition noun A long-established custom or belief passed down within a family, group, or culture. Baking bread together every Sunday has become a tradition in our family. + blessing noun Something that brings happiness, help, or good fortune, or a prayer asking for divine favor. Having supportive neighbors was a real blessing during the difficult winter. + prayer noun A solemn request, expression of thanks, or thought addressed to a god or other object of worship. The whole village gathered for a prayer of thanks after the long drought finally ended. + kindle verb To start a fire burning, or figuratively to arouse a feeling or interest. He used dry leaves and small twigs to kindle the campfire before dark. + flame noun The visible, hot, glowing part of a fire. The candle's flame flickered gently in the evening breeze. + heritage noun Valued traditions, achievements, beliefs, or property passed down from earlier generations. The festival celebrates the town's rich cultural heritage. + custom noun A traditional practice followed by a particular society, group, or region over time. It is a custom in some countries to remove your shoes before entering a home. + feast noun A large, elaborate meal, often prepared to celebrate a special occasion. The family gathered for a holiday feast with turkey, stuffing, and pie. + gathering noun A meeting or assembly of people brought together for a shared purpose. The family held a small gathering to welcome the new baby. + temple noun A building used for the worship of a deity or for other religious ceremonies. Pilgrims traveled hundreds of miles to visit the ancient temple carved into the mountainside. + oil noun A thick, greasy liquid that does not mix with water, used as fuel, for lubrication, or in cooking. She drizzled olive oil over the salad before serving it. + eight number The number equal to one more than seven; the cardinal number 8. She arranged eight chairs around the table for the dinner guests. + night noun The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. We drove through the night to reach the coast by morning. + spinning top noun A toy shaped like a cone that spins rapidly on its pointed tip when set in motion. The children took turns launching the spinning top across the wooden floor. + gift noun Something given to someone voluntarily, without payment, to please or honor them. She wrapped the necklace carefully as a birthday gift for her sister. + celebration noun An event or activity held to mark a special occasion with enjoyment. The whole neighborhood joined the celebration for the town's centennial. + family noun A group of people related by blood, marriage, or close bonds, typically including parents and children. Three generations of the family gathered together for the holiday dinner this year. + songs noun Short musical compositions with words that are sung, typically featuring a melody and rhythm. The band played several songs from their new album at the concert. + light noun The natural energy from the sun or a lamp that makes things visible. Morning light streamed through the curtains and woke her gently. + wax verb To gradually increase in size, strength, or intensity, especially describing the moon. The moon waxes for about two weeks before it begins to wane again. + dedication noun Commitment and hard work directed toward a particular purpose or activity. Her dedication to the project meant she often stayed late into the evening. +