As Hanukkah arrives on our doorstep, this year feels different. Before explaining why, a recap of the holiday’s basic elements might be helpful. Often, when Hanukkah is mentioned, people gravitate toward the idea of presents. You might hear a common refrain of: “Wow! You get presents for eight days!” In our family, this is not the case, and presents are a minor part of the holiday. We keep presents very small, except for the grandchildren, and even they don’t receive eight days’ worth. It is the history and traditions surrounding the holiday that bring the most meaning. Experiencing the rituals...