CHANUKAH

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most beloved holidays in Orthodox Judaism. It commemorates a miraculous event in Jewish history that took place more than two thousand years ago, highlighting themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. This eight-day celebration is marked by the lighting of the menorah, special prayers, and the retelling of the heroic Maccabean victory.

The story of Chanukah dates back to the second century BCE, during the reign of the Greek-Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who sought to impose Hellenistic culture and pagan worship upon the Jewish people living in Judea. He desecrated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by erecting an altar to Zeus and forbidding Jewish religious practices, including circumcision and the observance of the Sabbath.

In response to this oppression, a group of Jewish rebels, led by the Maccabees (a family of priests), waged a successful revolt against the Greek forces. After defeating the Syrians, they recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees purified and rededicated the Temple, and it is this rededication that is the focus of the Chanukah celebration.

According to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, the Jews found only one small vial of pure olive oil to light the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum that was meant to burn continuously. Miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted for eight days, long enough to produce more oil for the Menorah. This miracle is the basis for the eight-day duration of the holiday.

Chanukah is celebrated for eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in November or December. The exact date varies each year due to the differences between the Hebrew lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The holiday begins at nightfall on the 25th of Kislev and lasts for eight days, ending at nightfall on the 2nd of Tevet.  This year the Chanukah begins on Wednesday night 25th December and ends on 2nd January 2025. 

Chanukah is celebrated by lighting the Menorah, eating traditional foods, playing games, giving charity and reciting special prayers:

Lighting the Menorah: The central mitzvah (commandment) of Chanukah is the lighting of the menorah. The menorah holds nine candles: eight candles to represent each night of the holiday, and a shamash (helper candle) used to light the other candles. Each night, one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are burning on the final night of Chanukah. The menorah is placed in a window or doorway to publicize the miracle. Orthodox Jews recite the blessings before lighting the candles, including the Shehechiyanu prayer, which thanks God for sustaining them and allowing them to reach the holiday.

Reciting Prayers: Special prayers are recited during the nightly candle lighting, including Hallel (a series of Psalms of praise) and the Al HaNissim prayer, which thanks the Almighty for the miracles of Chanukah and for the salvation of the Jewish people during the time of the Maccabees.

Eating Traditional Foods:  Foods fried in oil are commonly eaten during Chanukah to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The most popular foods include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). These treats are enjoyed by family and friends as part of the celebration. 

Dreidel Game:  A traditional game is played with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin. Each letter stands for a word in the phrase "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" ("A great miracle happened there"). The game is often played with small coins, chocolate gelt (coins), or other prizes, and it is a fun way to engage children in the holiday's themes.

Charity and Gifts: While Chanukah is not traditionally a gift-giving holiday, it is common for families to exchange small gifts or give money to children during the holiday. Giving charity (tzedakah) is a very important aspect of the celebration, and many families make it a point to give to those in need during this time.

Lighting the Chanukah candles is a central mitzvah (commandment) of the holiday and is rich in symbolism. The procedure for lighting the candles follows a specific order and set of blessings, and it is typically done after nightfall. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to light the Chanukah menorah:

Prepare the Menorah:  The menorah should be placed in a prominent location, typically in a window or on a windowsill facing the outside. This is to publicize the miracle of Chanukah and to share the light with others. If you live in a place where this is not feasible (e.g., on a high floor), the menorah can be placed on a table or other visible location in your home.

The menorah holds eight candles for each night of Chanukah, plus a shamash (helper candle), which is set apart from the others and used to light the other candles. On the first night, place one candle in the far-right position, and place the shamash in the centre (or in a higher or separate spot depending on the menorah's design). 

When inserting the candles into the Chanukiah, the order is from right to left, but the lighting will be done from left to right. This reflects the principle of adding light each night.

Blessings Before Lighting:

Before lighting the candles, three blessings are recited on the first night, and two blessings on subsequent nights.

The Three Blessings on the First Night:

1. Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah (To Light the Chanukah Candles):

• Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

2. Shehechiyanu (The Blessing of Gratitude for Reaching the Festival):

• Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

3. Al HaNissim (For the Miracles):

• Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.

The Two Blessings on All Subsequent Nights (Nights 2-8):

1. Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah (To Light the Chanukah Candles).

2. Al HaNissim (For the Miracles).

 After Lighting the Candles:  Place the Shamash Back: After lighting all the candles, return the shamash to its place on the menorah (if it's separate). The shamash is not counted as one of the eight Chanukah lights but serves only to light the others.

Once the candles are lit, it is customary to stay near the menorah for at least 30 minutes, allowing time to enjoy the light of the menorah. This is a time to reflect on the miracle of Chanukah and give thanks for the divine protection and miracles that occurred.

Additional Notes:  Do not use the Chanukah lights for work.  The Chanukah candles are meant to be used for enjoyment and admiration only, not for any practical purpose like reading or working.

One of the key mitzvot of Chanukah is publicizing the miracle.  If possible, place the menorah in a window or outside where others can see it, as a way to share the celebration and the miracle of Chanukah with the world.