Friends was and still is, an immensely popular sitcom. Running throughout the 1990s and early Noughties, whilst its jokes may have dated a little overall it is still excellent comedy entertainment and a very “bingeable” watch. There are many highlights but one particularly stands out is the One where Ross Geller dresses up as an Armadillo to try and educate his son, Ben, on the roots of his Jewish faith. Together, they, with Father Christmas (Chandler) Aunt Monica and Superman (Joey) also in attendance, light the Hanukkah Candles, much like those available from https://cazenovejudaica.com/uk/hanukkah-candles/chanukah.
To be clear, armadillos play no part in the actual tale of Hanukkah; it was simply because there were no other costumes left for Ross to wear. So, enter the Holiday Armadillo (your part-Jewish friend) to celebrate the festivals of lights. Hanukkah is a celebration that features the lighting of the menorah candles. This celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over an occupying force in Judea.
The candles represent the liberation of a synagogue and its change of use back to the Jewish faith. An oil lamp was needed to light the candles, 8 for each night of Hanukkah. However, the Maccabees found that they only had oil for one day. Asking Yahweh for help and guidance, they found that the little oil they had lasted the whole 9 days of the festival. No Armadillos were harmed at any point and the holiday is celebrated by Jews around the world as it usually coincides with Christmas and the winter solstice.
