This year, we usher in Chanukah with the lighting of the first Candle on Friday evening before sundown on November 29.

Before proceeding to light the Chanukah candles, we first light the Shamash 'servant' candle, and recite the following three blessings:

1. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sav Ve-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments, and commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.

2. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olom She-o-so Ni-sim La-avo-sei-nu Ba-yom-mim H-heim Biz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

(This following blessing is said only the first time we kindle the lights on Chanukah.)

3. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu me-lech Ha-olom She-heh-che-yoh-nu Ve-ki-yi-mio-nu Ve-he-ge-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

We light an additional candle each night of Chanukah, leading up to the lighting of the full menorah, all eight candles, on Friday evening, December 6. (Actually, the Chanukah holiday continues through Saturday, Dec. 7.)

The Menorah's 8 lights must all be of equal height, and stand in a straight row. To differentiate it from the other candles, the Shamash 'servant' candle that kindles the others is placed a little higher or lower than the other candles.

The Menorah may be kindled with candles, while some prefer to use olive oil. When lighting with oil, ready made wicks can be purchased, or can be homemade by twisting a puff of absorbent cotton into a 2-3 inch string.

An electric menorah does not fulfill the obligation, but may be placed in addition to a candle or oil menorah to promote Chanukah awareness.

Being a holiday of renewal and rededication, Chanukah is an opportune time to promote our Jewish heritage. Encourage the children to light their own Menorah.

In the absence of a pre-manufactured Menorah, metal bottle covers or any container may be used. In times of persecution during the Holocaust and Communist oppression, people improvised Menorahs from hollowed potatoes filled with margarine or fat. Today, Israeli soldiers on duty have used military canisters lined in a row as their Menorah.

On the first night, we begin by lighting the flame on the extreme right of the Menorah. Each succeeding night another flame is added to the left of the previous flames. The new flame is lit first, followed by the one to its right, and so on, until all eight flames are kindled

Many people place the Menorah on a windowsill facing a public street, while some prefer to light it at the doorpost across the mezuzah. Kindled at sunset or nightfall, the candles should burn for at least half an hour after dark.

On Friday evenings (November 29 and December 6) the Chanukah lights must be kindled before the Shabbos lights. Once the Shabbat candles are lit and Shabbat has begun, it is forbidden to light the Menorah. Saturday night, the candles are kindled after the "Havdalah" ceremony bids farewell to Shabbat.

As the candles burn, it is customary to sit by the candles, tell stories and sing Chanukah songs. We are not allowed to benefit directly from the light of the candles, only from the shamash and other lights in the room.

Other work should not be done near the burning candles. Some women refrain from household work during the half-hour that the lights burn, in honor of the brave Jewish women like Judith, who played heroic roles in the Chanukah story.

Each day of Chanukah, the full Hallel is recited in the morning prayers. We also add "Al Hanissim" in the Amida, and during Grace after meals. Chanukah Gelt Chanukah Gelt is given to children, who are encouraged to give some of the money to charity.

Additional Chanukah gifts of books, games and toys are welcome but it is proper to also preserve the old tradition of 'gelt' coins.

The Draydel is a spinning toy with Hebrew letters on its four sides, available in metal, plastic or wood in different colors and sizes.

Before the Chanukah victory, the Greeks forbade the Jews to study Torah. But the Jews defied the ban, and continued Torah classes in hiding. If a Torah class was discovered by Greek soldiers, the children disguised their learning activity by

It is also customary to eat Dairy specialties. Cheese latkes recall the famous heroine, Judith, who charmingly made her way into the enemy camp, and gained the confidence of Helifornos, a vicious Greek general. She served him salty cheese, followed by a strong wine to quench his thirst. In his slumber, she seized his sword and slew him. Realizing that their head had fallen, his soldiers ran off in confusion, saving the besieged Jews.