📖 The Night Before Hanukkah

It was the night before the eight days of Hanukkah. Families were preparing all over the country. We slept in bed with the picture of chocolate gelts in our mind. The next evening, the whole family gathered around. After sunset, Dad put on his yarmulke and Mom lit the shammash candle after saying the first prayer. We sang "Rock of Ages", before we opened the presents. The next night, we played Dreidel and tossed chocolate gelts. Dad finally won the game, but he shared his winnings. On the third night, Dad read the story of Maccabees, the Jewish heroes. On the fourth night, we ate latkes. On the fifth night, we had jelly doughnuts. On the sixth night, we visited cousins, it's a family tradition. On the seventh night, we brought presents for others and shared lots of holiday food. On the eighth night, there was a problem. One candle was missing! I found a birthday candle and Mom placed it on the menorah. We wished a Happy Hanukkah to all – the Festival of Lights! Reason for recommendation: The young readers can learn the Jewish tradition of the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah in this book. It is very straightforward, poetic and informative.

这是光明节八天的前一天晚上,全国各地的家庭都在为这个节日做准备。我们睡在床上,脑海里却浮现出巧克力硬币的画面。第一天晚上,全家人都聚在一起。日落后,爸爸戴上他的圆顶小帽,妈妈在说完第一个祈祷文后点燃了沙玛什蜡烛,我们唱起"万古磐 石"。然后我们打开了礼物。第二天晚上,我们玩起了陀螺来赢巧克力硬币。最后爸爸赢得了比赛,但他把自己的奖品分给了大家。 第三天晚上,爸爸给我们讲了马加比人的故事——他们是犹太民族历史上的英雄。 第四天晚上,我们吃了土豆饼(latkes)。 第五天晚上,我们吃了果酱甜甜圈(jelly doughnuts)。 第六天晚上,我们去拜访表兄弟姐妹,这是我们家的传统。 第七天晚上,我们给别人带去礼物,还一起分享了许多节日美食。 到了第八天晚上,出现了一个问题:少了一根蜡烛! 我找到了一根生日蜡烛,妈妈把它放在烛台(menorah)上。 我们向所有人送上光明节的祝福——祝大家光明节快乐!这就是"光明节"(Festival of Lights)!