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CHANUKAH
What to do on Chanukah
The
Menorah
Chanukah
Happenings
Chanukah is unique amongst the holidays in that it has only a single
mitzvah - publicizing the miracle of Chanukah through the lighting
of the menorah.
The
Chanukah Menorah
The Chanukah Menorah is a candelabra with nine branches. It is
also called a chanukiah.
The
Ninth branch - While there are only eight nights of Chanukah,
an extra candle is lit every night to be a "helper," and is used
to light the other candles. This candle is called the shamash.
The place for the shamash on the menorah should be differentiated
from the other lights. Usually it is higher, lower or out of line
with the others.
The
Eight Lights
- Instead
of a menorah, one may light a series of tea candles (for
example) one next to the other.
- The
lights should be in a straight, even line without any differentiation
in height between the eight Chanukah lights, or however
many are lit that particular night. The lights may be in
a semi-circle as long as all of the lights can be viewed
at the same time.
- There
should be enough space between lights so that two flames
do not burn together or cause the candle next to it to melt.
Oil
or candles -- The sages said that it is preferable to use olive
oil for the Chanukah lights, since the miracle took place with
olive oil. One may use wax or paraffin candles or other types
of oils as long as they produce a steady light.
Lighting
Where
-
-
The purpose of lighting the Chanukah lights, and its essential
mitzvah, is to proclaim the miracle (Pirsumei Nisa). It is
important, therefore, to kindle the Chanukah lights where
others will see them.
-
The Chanukah lights were originally lit at the entrance to
one's home, facing the street. It was placed on the left side
of the entrance, across from the mezuzah.
- It
is now a common practice to place the menorah in a window
facing the street.
-
If one lives on a high floor or is unable to place the
menorah in a place visible from the street, it is permissible
to place the Chanukah lights in any room where the people
in the house will be able to see it.
-
NOTE: Please be sure to review fire safety procedures with
your family
When
-
While there are several opinions about when one should kindle
the Chanukah lights, the majority opinion is that it should
be done at the time when three stars have appeared in the
sky (approximately an 40-50 minutes after sunset).
- Many
people do, however, follow the opinion of the Vilna Gaon (Rabbi
Eliyahu of Vilna, 1720 - 1797), and light at sunset. This
custom is commonly followed in Jerusalem.
- If
one is unable to light at the appropriate time, one may light
later in the night as long as there is someone else in the
household who is awake (thus fulfilling the requirements of
publicizing the miracle).
-
If it is very late and no one is awake, one should light
without the blessing.
-
If there are people in the street or in the apartments
of a facing building who would see the lit candles, it
is okay to light.
-
If one does not light at all during the night, they cannot
do a "make-up" lighting. In such a case, one should just continue
on the next night with everyone else.
Who
-
All adults are equally obligated in the lighting of the Chanukah
lights and each one may light their own menorah.
-
Children over the age of 9 should light.
- The
head of the household may, however, elect to kindle one set
of Chanukah lights for the entire household.
How
- On
the first night, one light is placed on the far right of the
menorah. Each succeeding night, one light is added to the
left of the previous night's candle(s). The newest light is
always lit first.
- Before
lighting, the following blessings are recited:
- Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech ha'olam,
asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzeevanu l'hadlik ner shel
Chanukah..
Blessed
are You L-rd, our G-d, Ruler of the world, who sanctified
us through His commandments and commanded us, to kindle
the lights of Chanukah.
- Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech ha'olam,
she'asah neesim la'avotaynu, bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
Blessed
are You L-rd, our G-d, Ruler of the world, Who wrought
miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.
- The
third blessing is recited on the first night only.
Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu melech Ha-olam, sheh'heh'cheh'yanu
v'kee'manu v'hee'gee'anu la'zman ha'zeh.
Blessed
are You L-rd, our G-d, Ruler of the world, Who has kept
us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
- As
the lights are kindled, Ha'neyrot Halalu is recited.
Ha'neyrot halalu anachnu madlikin al hanisim v'al ha'niflaot,
v'al ha't'shu'ot v'al hamilchamot, she'aseetah la'avotaynu
ba'yamim hahem bazman ha'zeh, al y'dey Kohanecha ha'k'doshim.
V'chol shmonat y'mey Chanukah, ha'neyrot halalu kodesh hem.
V'eyn lanu r'shut l'hishtamesh bahem, ehla lirotam bilvad,
k'dey l'hodot u'leha'lel l'shim'cha ha'gadol al neesecha v'al
nif'l'otecha v'al y'shu'otecha.
These
lights we kindle upon the miracles, the wonders, the salvations
and on the battles which You performed for our ancestors in
those days in this season, through Your holy priests. During
all eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred. We are
not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but to look at
them, in order to express thanks and praise to Your great
name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations.
- After
the lights are lit, Ma'oz Tzur is sung.
Ma'oz tzur y'shu'ahtee, l'chah nah'eh l'shabeyach; Tee'kone
beyt t'feelah'tee, v'sham todah n'zah'beyach; L'ayt tacheen
matbeyach, mee'tsahr ham'nabeyach; Ahz egmor b'sheer mizmor,
chanukat ha'mizbeyach.
Rock of Ages let our song, praise Thy saving power. Thou amidst
the raging foes, was our sheltering tower. Furious they assailed
us, but Thine arm availed us. And thy word, broke their sword,
when our own strength failed us.
The Chanukah lights should stay lit for at least half an hour.
For the first half hour that the lights are burning, it is customary
to refrain from common household chores.
One may not use the Chanukah lights for anything except proclaiming
the miracle. For instance, one may not read using the light of
menorah.
Chanukah Happenings
Additional
Prayers
-
Al Ha'nisim, "On the Miracles," is inserted into the
daily prayers.
-
During the Silent Amidah of the morning, afternoon and evening
service, Al Ha'nisim is recited after Modim (the Thanksgiving
blessing).
-
During Bentching/Bircat Hamazon (Grace After Meals),
it is added in the middle of the second blessing, Nodeh
L'cha.
-
If one forgets to add Al Ha'nisim, neither the Silent
Amidah nor Bentching should be repeated.
- Al
Ha'nisim recalls the miracles that occurred on Chanukah,
particularly the victory of the Jews over the Syrian-Greek
army.
- Hallel,
Psalms of Praise, is recited after the morning Silent Amidah.
- Hallel is a collection of Psalms that are recited on
the festivals and Rosh Chodesh (the new month).
The
Customs of Chanukah
-
Dreidel (click for more information) is a spinning top game
played with coins or candies.
- The
Foods of Chanukah
- Because
of the significance of oil in the miracle of Chanukah, it
has become customary to partake of foods fried in oil during
the holiday. Two traditional treats are latkes and sufganiot
(potato pancakes and doughnuts).Click here for recipes
-
Some people eat dairy in honor of Yehudit (click to her
site), a Jewish heroine who saved her city by giving the
enemy goat cheese to eat.
-
Chanukah Gelt – Chanukah Gifts
a)
Chanukah Gelt: - Gelt is Yiddish word meaning money. It is
customary to give Chanukah gelt to the children.
-
In earlier generations, it was usually shiny pennies or,
at most, dimes. Now, probably as a result of inflation,
one doesn't give less than a shiny gold dollar (sometimes
filled with chocolate).
- The
custom of Chanukah gelt is often used to reward the child
for knowing about the holiday or for learning about Judaism
during Chanukah.
- )
The custom of Chanukah Gelt is actually found in the Talmud,
where it states that even the poorest person must light
Chanukah lights. If the person cannot afford oil or candles,
than they should actually ask people for money. The Jewish
perspective on charity, however, is very sensitive the dignity
of the person in need. For this reason, it became customary
to distribute money at Chanukah time so that it does not
come across as charity, but as Chanukah gelt.
b)
The Custom of Chanukah Gifts
-
The custom of giving gifts is often seen as an extension
of Chanukah Gelt.
-
Unfortunately, in the consumer driven American society,
Judaism has to compete with the non-Jewish "Holiday Season."
Since children cannot distinguish between their spiritual
needs and their material desires, many parents have found
it necessary to give Chanukah gifts in competition with
Xmas gifts, and thus developed the custom of giving Chanukah
presents.
Shabbat
Chanukah
Shabbat candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday night.
Since the Chanukah candles are lit during or after sunset, which
is already the Sabbath (on which it is prohibited to create a
flame), there are specific rules for Shabbat Chanukah.
1) The Chanukah lights are kindled immediately before the Shabbat
candles are lit.
2) Because the Chanukah lights must burn for at least a half
an hour after sunset, extra oil is used or larger candles should
be lit.
- Judaica
stores often have special larger, longer candles available.
-
Many people create makeshift menorahs and use Shabbat candles,
which burn much longer than the thin Chanukah candles.
3)
After the Chanukah candles are lit, and a moment is taken to
enjoy their light, the Shabbat candles are kindled. Click here
for Shabbat Candle-lighting directions.
On Saturday night, the Chanukah candles are lit after the Havdalah
ceremony, which separates the Sabbath from the weekday, is recited.
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