How Cannabis Can Enhance Hanukkah Traditions

As both an observant Jew and a lover of cannabis, it’s only natural to integrate these parts of my life together during festivities like Hanukkah — and I’m certainly not the only one.

Intentional use of cannabis helps me connect further with my culture and deepens my spiritual experiences. Beyond that, infusing weed into holiday traditions can simply add some extra fun!

Maybe you’re Jewish yourself or simply curious about our traditions — either way, read on to learn more about this holiday and how adding cannabis can enhance the annual celebration.

Storytelling

In Judaism, retelling the stories associated with each holiday is integral to observance and celebration. Hanukkah is no different, and what’s better than listening to an enthralling story while a little blazed?

The story of Hanukkah isn’t anywhere in the Torah. Rather, it’s found in later Jewish texts including Maccabees I and II, and the Talmud.

In 168 BCE, Syrians took over the Temple in Jerusalem considered the holiest Jewish place. The king of Syria made it illegal to be Jewish or observe any Jewish holidays or traditions.

At a time when Jews were being told to either convert or face the death penalty, a Jewish resistance movement led by Judah Maccabee defeated the Syrians and won back control of the Temple. 

The Maccabees lit an oil candle in the Temple that only had enough oil to last for one night, but it miraculously burned for eight — hence the eight nights of candle lighting. The Festival of Lights is ultimately about Jewish resistance and joy. The story of Hanukkah reminds Jews that we have a duty to support people worldwide fighting for freedom.

Listening to a story while high tends to enhance visuals and imagination and can illicit stronger emotional responses. Likewise, telling a story high can result in some vivid word choices! Passing a joint while retelling the history can help set a relaxed tone for the evening.

Candles

One of the central aspects of Hanukkah is lighting the candles in the menorah every night. Each night, a new candle is added. For example, the first night has one candle, the second has two, and so on. The candles are placed right to left and lit left to right.

It’s beautiful to see the light of the candles grow brighter with each night. It’s also the perfect opportunity to light up yourself!

Taking a hit of a joint every time a candle is lit is a surefire way to enjoy yourself. You can upgrade to bong rips or dabs depending on your tolerance. Keep safety in mind and don’t move the menorah while under the influence. 

(And if you keep kosher, don’t worry — kosher cannabis exists!)

Sitting around the menorah while the flames gently wave, with the wax slowly but surely melting, can be a peaceful respite from a busy world. Cannabis may help you tap into a deeper part of yourself and open you up to the moment’s tranquility. 

Dreidel

Playing dreidel is a beloved Hanukkah tradition and a great way to have fun with family and friends after dinner while the candles burn. 

A dreidel is a spinning top with four sides, each with its own Hebrew letter — Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin. Each player starts with an equal amount of objects, typically gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in foil), and puts one of their gelt in the middle pile.

Players take turns spinning the dreidel, either giving or receiving gelt depending on which letter the dreidel lands on. The game ends when one player has collected all of the gelt.

There are a few ways to give Dreidel a cannabis twist. You can play with nugs instead of gelt (just be sure to play on a clean surface). You can also use homemade chocolate edibles as gelt. Either way, you’re bound to feel good both from playing an awesome game and from the prize at the end. 

Food

If you’ve never had Jewish food before, there is a hole in your heart that you’re unaware of that can only be filled by homemade matzoh ball soup. Latkes are sizzling, oily potato pancakes commonly topped with applesauce or sour cream. Babka is a rich, braided chocolate bread that can be torn apart while eating. What meal is babka eaten for? All of them, until the loaf is gone.

Fried, oily foods are the star of the show on Hanukkah to pay homage to the oil in the lamp in the Temple. And what better way to fry food than with cannabis-infused oil?

Final Thoughts

There are lots of ways to spice up your Hanukkah celebration with cannabis. Whether you’re looking to open up some spiritual pathways or just can’t resist a good time, don’t be afraid to create your own weed-related traditions for the Festival of Lights!