Blessed are You, O Lord, our G_d, King of
the universe,who has sanctified us with
His commandments and has commanded us to
kindle the Hanukkah light. Blessed are You,
O Lord, our G_d, King of the universe, who
wrought miracles for our forefathers, in
those days at this season.
THE HISTORY
The story of Hanukkah is the struggle for religious
freedom. Over a thousand years ago, the foreign
rulers of the Israelites decreed that the Jews bow
down to the image of their leader, Antiochus, whose
statue was erected in the Temple. But the Jewish
people were forbidden by the law of G_d to bow to
statues or idols. Inspired by Mattathias and led
by his son, Judah, a small group of Jews called
Maccabees (meaning "hammer") rebelled. The
Maccabees risked their lives to live according to
Jewish law and to prevent this desecration of their
sacred Temple.
Although the Maccabees won, the Temple in Jerusalem,
the Jews holy place, was destroyed. The Jews had to
clean and repair the Temple, and when they were
finished they rededicated it to G_d by rekindling
the menorah, the nine-branched candelabrum
symbolizing the eternal covenant between G_d and the
Jewish people and the continuity of tradition through
the generations. But there was only enough olive oil
to fuel the menorah for one night, and it would have
taken eight days to make more oil. The legend of the
miracle at Hanukkah says that the one day supply of
oil burned for eight days and nights until more oil
could be made.
There are eight days of Hanukkah corresponding to
the legend of the miracle of the oil in the Temple.
Foods cooked in oil are traditional particularly
potato pancakes, called latkes. Today, candles are
used instead of oil. On each successive night, the
number of candles lit increases by one. Prayers
accompany the lighting of the candles.
Hanukkah is celebrated in the home beginning on
the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Even
though it is not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures,
Hanukkah is widely celebrated as a major holy day of
the Jewish liturgical calender. Given its proximity
to Christmas, Hanukkah has taken on importance in
this and many other countries where Christmas has been
commercialized.
It is traditional to give small gifts to children on
each night of Hanukkah. The party atmosphere is enhanced
with songs, games and toys such as a dreidel--a spinning
top. Yet the religious celebration--the lighting of the
candles with accompanying prayers--must come before
the party.
Another tradition on Hanukkah is to play the
dreidel game. A dreidel is a 4 sided top.
The four letters which appear on the four
corners of a dreidel allude to the miracle of
Hanukkah. Taken one after the other they spell
out (from right to left):
Nes (miracle),
Gadol (great),
Haya (happened) and
Sham (there, meaning in Israel).
add something
get everything
get half
nothing, pass
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle
(or oil wick) is lit, on the far right side of
the menorah. The candles are lit by a "shamash"
or service candle, which after being used to
light the other candles,takes its own special
place on the menorah - usually in a place
slightly set apart from the rest.
On each successive night an additional candle
is added, from right to left (two candles lit
on the second night, three on the third...)
until finally, on the eighth night, all eight
candles are lit. It is customary to light from
left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
Allow the candles to burn themselves out.
*Potato Latkes
2 eggs
3 cups grated, drained potatoes
3 tablespoons grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons matzoh meal
1/2 cup fat or butter
Drain the grated potatoes by squeezing in a clean
towel.. straining well. Beat the eggs and add
the potatoes, onion, salt, pepper and matzoh meal.
Heat half the fat or butter in a frying pan and
drop the potato mixture into it by tablespoon.
Fry until browned on both sides. Serves 8
Serve with applesauce or sour cream.
*The Art of Jewish Cooking by Jennie Grossinger
Oh, Hanukkah
Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,
Come light the menorah.
Let's have a party,
We'll all dance the hora.
Gather round the table,
We'll give you a treat.
dreidels to play with,
Latkes to eat.
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low.
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago;
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago.
Hanukkah Humor
My Homepage
See my cyber-adoptees
Happy New Year
Happy Halloween
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Fourth of July
Click here for a wonderful Hanukkah page and
lots of great links
The wonderful background and some gifs were made
possible by:
Uncle Debi's Bordered Backgrounds.
A cute site I found:
• Hanukkah can be spelled in 17 different ways:
Channuka, Channukah, Chanuka, Chanukah, Chanuko,
Hannuka, Hannukah, Hanuka, Hanukah, Hanukkah,
Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanuka, Khanukah,
and Khanukkah, and Chanuccah.
Not to be confused with above
In Loving Memory of:
Rose & Oscar Post, Mildred Gettleman, Milton Hartman,
Bendict Hartman, Lillian Hartman, Michael Sarabura,
Henrietta & Morris Gelman, Sydney & Ruth Hartman,
Stella & Eli Flicker, John (Jack) McCormick and
Marcus T. Hartman.
