The cruel King Antiochus forced the Greek pantheon of idol worship on Israel in 164 B.C.E. He appointed apostates who adopted Greek names, dress and thought to reduce the holy Torah to mere literature, rather than Divine truth.
But many Jews remained loyal to the Torah, so the angry Antiochus sent soldiers to attack and enforce his rules. The Greeks forbade Jewish practice, but the faithful Jews defied their ban on Torah study, Circumcision and Shabbat.
Heroic Jews like Chana and her seven sons refused to bow to a Greek idol, and the elderly Matisyahu from Modin and his five sons the ‘Maccabees’ revolted against the oppression, and prevailed over the mighty Greeks.
The Maccabees then searched for pure oil to relight the Menorah in Jerusalem’s Holy Temple. They found only one jar of undefiled oil, but it was not enough to light the Menorah for more than a day.
Miraculously, the oil burned 8 days until newly pressed oil was obtained.
This year, we usher in Chanukah by lighting the First Candle on Friday eve December 15.
The Menorah's 8 lights must be of equal height, all in a row. To differentiate it from the other Chanukah candles, the Shamash 'servant' candle is placed a little higher or lower.
Most Menorahs use candles, while some prefer olive oil with wicks that can be purchased or homemade by twisting a puff of absorbent cotton into a 2-3 inch string.
An electric menorah does not fulfill the Mitzvah obligation, but may be placed in addition to a candle or oil menorah to promote Chanukah awareness.
A holiday of renewal and rededication, Chanukah promotes Jewish heritage. Children should light their own Menorahs.
In the absence of a designed Menorah, any metal containers may be used, making sure there is no fire hazard. During the Holocaust and Communist oppression, Jews improvised Menorahs from hollowed potatoes filled with margarine or fat. Israeli soldiers have used spent ammunition canisters lined in a row as their Menorah.
On the first night, the flame on the Menorah’s extreme right is lit. Another flame is added to the left of the previous flame each succeeding night. The new flame is lit first, followed by the flame to its right, and so on, until all eight flames are kindled.
Many Menorahs are placed in the window facing the street, while some light at the doorpost across the mezuzah. Kindled at sunset or nightfall, the candles should burn at least half an hour after dark.
On Friday evenings (Dec 15 and Dec. 22) the Chanukah lights are kindled before the Shabbos candlelighting time. (Shabbos begins once the Shabbos candles are lit, so it is forbidden to light the Menorah later.) Saturday night, the Chanukah candles are lit after the "Havdalah" ceremony bids farewell to Shabbos.
| Before lighting the Menorah the first night, we first kindle the Shamash 'servant' candle, and recite the following three blessings. Each additional night we recite the first two blessings only. BLESSINGS Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Me-lech Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who made miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time. (The following blessing is said only the first time we kindle the Chanukah lights.) Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu me-lech Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who kept us alive and preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time. We light an additional candle each night of Chanukah, leading up to the lighting of all eight candles on Friday evening, December 22. |
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It is customary to sit by the Menorah, tell stories and sing songs. We do not benefit directly from the light of the candles, only from the shamash or regular lights in the room.
Women refrain from household chores during the half-hour that the lights burn, honoring the brave Jewish heroines who played crucial roles in the Chanukah story.
PRAYERS
“Hallel” is recited in the morning prayers. We add "Al Hanissim" in the Amida and during Grace after meals. We give Chanukah “Gelt” to children, encouraging them to donate some to charity. Gifts of books, games or toys are also given in addition to the 'Gelt' coins tradition.
The Draydel spinner with Hebrew letters on its four sides is available in metal, plastic or wood in various colors and sizes.
The Syrian Greeks forbade Torah study, but the Jews defied the ban and learned in hiding. If Greek soldiers discovered a Torah class, the children would disguise their studies by pretending they were just playing a Draydel game.
HOLIDAY FOODS
Recalling the Chanukah Oil Miracle, it is customary to eat fried foods: potato Latke pancakes and Sufganiot doughnuts.
Dairy specialties recall the heroine Judith who charmed her way into the enemy camp, and gained the confidence of Helifornos, a vicious Greek general. She served him salty cheese, followed by wine to quench his thirst. As he slept, Judith seized his sword and slew him. Realizing that their head had fallen, his soldiers ran off in confusion, and the Jews were saved.