Hanukkah, explained

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is an ancient tradition commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 164 BCE. Its central symbol—the candlelit menorah—represents a miracle in which the short supply of oil in the lamp of the newly dedicated temple burned for eight nights instead of just one.

The event is timed according to the lunar-based Hebrew calendar, usually falling sometime between late November and late December, and it lasts for eight days. The nightly ritual of lighting the menorah—the nine-armed candelabra representing the miracle of the oil—is the most important component of celebrating Hanukkah. 

Each night, a blessing is recited, and an additional candle is lit. While giving children a few coins, or gelt, has long been a part of Hanukkah, the tradition for many American Jews has evolved to be more similar to Christmas celebrations. Now, many children receive small gifts each night, with a larger present on the final evening.

... Read what else we learned about Hanukkah here. (Next Sunday, we'll cover Christmas.)

Also, check out ... 

> Hanukkah wasn't traditionally a major Jewish holiday, but American Jews helped evolve it. (Read)

> Different countries have their own unique Hanukkah celebrations. (Read)

> A guide to Hanukkah specials in popular culture. (Read)

> Cheese, the lesser-known Hanukkah culinary tradition. (Read)

In partnership with Noom

Is the Future of Weight Loss Microdosing?

By now, most of us are familiar with GLP-1 medications for weight loss – but what about their side effects? Studies show that many people who go on a standard GLP-1 dose may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. That’s less than ideal, but Noom has discovered a solution: Microdosing. 

Noom Med’s new Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program is the easiest way to start (and stay) on a GLP-1. The program is designed to minimize side effects¹ and keep pricing affordable (starting at just $99), while still seeing the kind of results that could help you lose up to 17 pounds in 60 days². It’s trustworthy, it’s affordable, but most of all, it’s sustainable – and if there’s one thing we love, it’s long-term results. 

Take this quiz to find out if you’re eligible for Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program through Noom Med.

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What's the significance of the Wright brothers?

Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright are credited with creating and flying the world’s first sustained, controlled, heavier-than-air aircraft. One-time bicycle mechanics with only some public high school education, the two made history in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903, when they successfully flew a 600-pound, 40-foot-wide plane over 120 feet in 12 seconds under its own power. 
 

Building on the work of gliding pioneers, the pair invented the three-axis system—a standard in aircraft today—to control the plane’s flight at every stage, allowing pilots to direct movement from nose to tail (pitch), wing to wing (roll), and top to bottom (yaw) (watch breakdown). Their scientific, documented approach to aviation pioneered the use of wind tunnels, aluminum crankcases in engines, and more, laying the foundation for the industry.
 

Adoption and large-scale production of their airplanes took time, in part because many observers doubted their claims and the practicality of powered flight. In 1908, a series of public demonstration flights in the US and France finally convinced skeptics and brought the Wright brothers international fame, spurring a wave of competitors, imitators, and lawsuits.
 

... Read our full explainer on the duo here.

Also, check out ... 

> Peruse the Wrights' personal collection of more than 300 photos. (Look)

> Inspiring takeaways from famed historian David McCullough's popular 2015 "Wright Brothers" book. (Listen)

> There's debate about who really was "first in flight." (Read)

> A piece of the Wright Flyer flew on the first powered flight on Mars. (Read)

NFTs, explained

Nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, are unique digital assets stored on a blockchain that represent ownership of images, GIFs, songs, videos, virtual plots of land, and more.

Unlike “fungible” assets that can be exchanged for an identical asset, including the US dollar and bitcoin, NFTs are not interchangeable, making them more similar to fine art than currency. Each NFT is unique and verifiable on the blockchain.

NFTs helped bring a huge wave of attention and investment to the crypto space, despite hype for the digital assets fading over time.

As NFT scams have become increasingly common, the space’s credibility has been questioned. Proponents don’t think these incidents overshadow the space’s potential, given that NFTs can benefit artists and other creators by generating new income sources through the assets’ initial sale and, potentially, ongoing royalties when they’re resold.

... Read our full write-up on NFTs here.

Also, check out ... 

> The most expensive NFT ever sold for $92M. (Read)

> NFT trading peaked in 2021 and has since significantly declined. (Read)

> A celebrity's NFT was "kidnapped" in 2022. (Listen)
> Examine the pros and cons of NFTs. (Read)

Best of the Week

We added 213 resources this week to our knowledge collective—here are some of our favorites.

The Christmas tree market is valued at more than $6B.

A history of the mall Santa.

Check out this smooth, scrollable timeline of every "SNL" cast and member.

The Chicagoans bonding over rat taxidermy. (More animal content here.)
 
Listen to a collection of found cassette tapes featuring music and voice memos.

An interactive map of Kurt Cobain's life in Grays Harbor County. (Rock 'n' roll 101.)

The ins and outs of an annual pigeon race featuring more than 1,000 birds.

An endearing look at (and interpretation of) what we search for on Google.

Is ice slippery due to amorphization—a chaos of molecules caused by sliding?

Medieval people used the moon as a versatile religious metaphor. (What else we've learned about the moon.)

How Microsoft Excel won the hearts of corporate nerds everywhere.

Cancer treatment gains would likely change the plot of hit show "Breaking Bad."

The 2006 dystopia "Idiocracy" clad dullards in Crocs before the shoes were a hit.

An absurdly long list of one guy's hundreds of fortune cookie fortunes.

Motocross is the deadliest organized sport for US kids. 

In partnership with Noom

Micro Dose for Macro Change

That’s the idea behind Noom Med’s Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program, which manages to combine the best of both worlds: The weight loss aided by standard GLP-1 use, paired with a low-dose personalized plan that is designed to minimize side effects¹ while improving affordability.

Everyday people like you have successfully lost up to 17 lbs in 60 days² on this new program, designed so that people can see real results with minimal side effects. Take their quiz right here to find out if you’re eligible for Noom’s Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program.

Please support our sponsors!

😴 1440 Explores ... The Science of Dreaming

In our fifth episode of "1440 Explores," our editor-in-chief speaks with a sleep scientist to dig into what dreams are and why your brain tells stories at night.

Together, they unpack:

> How memories and emotions shape dreams.

> Why some dreams feel like you’re suddenly in the driver’s seat.

> Why nightmares and recurring dreams keep coming back.  

> The surprising ways people can steer your thoughts. 

... and so much more. Listen now on Apple | Spotify | YouTube 

Historybook: President George Washington dies (1799); Horror and mystery author Shirley Jackson born (1916); Actress Patty Duke born (1946); Eugene Cernan is last person to walk on the moon (1972); 20 children and six staff members murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012).