Everything You Should Know About Chanukah

by Steve Brenner

Why is Chanukah celebrated?Chanukah is known as the Feast of

Dedication and Lights. It marks the rededication of the Temple by Judah Maccabee in 165 B.C.E. after his victory over the Syrians-Greek who defiled the Temple. This festival lasts for eight days as we reflect on the miracle of burning a small jar of oil found in the sanctuary by Judah Maccabee.

When is the first night of Chanukah this year?

1. December 15

2. December 25

3. December 20The right answer is December 20 atnightfall. Chanukah falls on Kislev 25 according to the Jewish calendar.

How do you read Chanukah in Hebrew?

CH N U KAH“CH” is pronounced as “H” not

“tsh”Thus the word can also be

spelled as Hanukah

How does one light the Chanukah candles?

1. On the first night, we will put two candles on the Menorah. One is the Shamash (helper) candle and the other is the candle for the first night.

• On the first night, use the Shamash candle to light the candle representing the first night. That candle should be placed in the far right candle holder.

3. On the second night, put two candles in the far right candle holders. Use the Shamash candle to light the left-most candle first. After you light that candle, light the one on the far right.

4. Each night, you add another candle. On the third night place three candles in the candle holders starting at the far right. Use four candles for the fourth night…and so on. Always light from left to right.

The additional light each night recalls the greatness and growth of the miracle.

How does one make blessings while lighting the candles?

"Baruch ata Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, Asher kid'shanu b'mitzvosav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah"

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us to Kindle the Chanukah light.

"Baruch ata Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, She'asah nisim la'avoseinu, bayamim ha'hem baz'man hazeh"

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.

Recited on the first night only"Baruch ata Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, She'hecheyanu, vekiyemanu vehigi'anu laz'man hazeh"

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Note that the first two blessings are recited every night. The third one is blessed just once on the first night.

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We also serve non-fried food such as chocolate candy (which is a wrapped coin-like candy known as “gelt.”) They are used for playing dreidel and for dessert.

Why do Jews eat potato or cheese latkes and donuts on Chanukah?

Latkes and jelly donuts are eaten because they are fried in oil which symbolizes the miracle of the jar of oil which lasted for eight days. Jelly Donuts Potato Latkes

Cheese Latkes accompanied with Apple Sauce

Source: http://www.chabad.org/library/howto/wizard_cdo/aid/597255/jewish/The-History.htm

The HistoryThe traditional Chanukah dreidel (spinning top) is a throwback to the times when the Greek armies of King Antiochus controlled the Holy Land, before the Maccabees defeated them and sent them packing. The powerful regime passed a series of laws outlawing the study of Torah and many of the mitzvot. The Jews were compelled to take their Torah learning "underground," for they knew that a Jew without Torah is like a fish out of water.Jewish children resorted to learning Torah in outlying areas and forests. Even this plan was not foolproof, for the enemy had many patrols. The children therefore brought along small tops that they would quickly pull out and play with after secreting away their texts, so that they could pretend to be merely playing games.Our Chanukah dreidel games are a salute to these Jewish heroes of yore.

How do Jews play dreidel games?

A person spins the dreidel.

If it lands on Nun, nothing happens.

If it lands on Gimmel (or, as we called it as kids, "gimmie"), you get the whole pot.

If it lands on Hey, you get half of the pot.

If it lands on Shin, you put one gelt in.

When the pot is empty, everybody puts one gelt in.

Keep playing until one person has everything. Then redivide it because nobody likes a poor winner.

Nes Gadol Haya Sham— (These fourHebrew letters on left are an acronym for"A great miracle happened there")

Nun - "nothing" -nothing happens and thenext player spins

Gimmel - "all" - the player takes the entire pot

Hey - "half" - the player takes half of the pot, rounding up if there is an odd number

Shin - "put in" - the playerputs one marker in the pot

What kind of songs do we sing for Chanukah?

Haneurit Halalu Hymn- After the Chanukah lights are

kindled it is customary to recite or sing this hymn. For full Hebrew and transliteration: http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/454338/jewish/Haneirot-Halalu.htm

Maoz Tzur - Traditional Chanukah songFor full wordings of song, click on: http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/454342/jewish/Sevivon.htm

Sevivon - A Dreidel Song for ChildrenFor full wordings of song, click on: http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/454342/jewish/Sevivon.htm

“OH CHANUKAH OH CHANUKAH”Favorite Chanukah Song of

Dot and Steve BrennerSee the next slide

Ner Rishon - A very short song sung for lighting the Menorah and it is about Chanukah sacred tradition. For full wordings, click on: http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/454341/jewish/Ner-Rishon.htm

“The Little Dreidel”Favorite Chanukah Song of

Elaine AielloSee the following slide after “Oh Chanukah”.

Oh Chanukah Oh ChanukahO Chanukah O Chanukah, Come light the menorahLet's have a party, we'll all dance the hora

Gather round the table, we'll give you a treatDreydels to play with and potato latkes to eat

And while we are playing,the candles are burning low

One for each night, the candle shed a sweet lightto remind us of days long ago

O Chanukah O Chanukah

Chanukah Song "I Have A Little

Dreidel"

For true story about this songwritten by Sam Goldfarb, click on

http://www.beingjewish.org/magazine/winter2001/article4.html

I Have A Little Dreidel

I have a little dreidel.I made it out of clay.

And when it's dry and ready,My dreidel I shall play.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,I made it out of clay.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,My dreidel I shall play.

It has a lovely body,With leg so short and thin,And when it gets all tired,

It drops and then I win.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,With leg so short and thin,Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,

It drops and then I win.

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I Have A Little Dreidel

My dreidel's always playful.It loves to dance and spin.A happy game of dreidel,

Come play now let's begin.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,It loves to dance and spin.Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,Come play now let's begin.

I have a little dreidel.I made it out of clay.

And when it's dry and ready,My dreidel I shall play.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,I made it out of clay.

Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel,My dreidel I shall play.

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WSJD Board wishes you all

Happy Chanukah