| Hanukkah (also spelt Chanukah) is a huge annual | | | | branches represent each of the 8 days the menorah |
| Jewish religious event that celebrates the reclamation | | | | burned in the Temple after the Maccabees defeated |
| and rededication of the Holy Jewish Temple in | | | | the Syrians. In order for it to be kosher, all 8 |
| Jerusalem after it was forcefully taken back from | | | | branches should be on the same level, however |
| the Greco-Syrian monarch, Antiochus Epiphanes, by a | | | | there are some contemporary menorahs available |
| small group of Jewish freedom fighters called the | | | | now that have the branches on different levels, and |
| Maccabees, and the miracle of the oil that happened | | | | many people now also use these menorahs. The 9th |
| at that time. | | | | branch is set apart from the others, often slightly |
| Like Christmas, it has become very commercial and | | | | higher, and it holds the Shamash, which literally means |
| with all the hanukkah products now available on the | | | | "servant." The Shamash is lit first and is used to light |
| internet with online shopping it can be easy to lose | | | | each of the other candles. The first night of |
| the original focus of the holiday. However, with | | | | Hanukkah, you light the Shamash plus one. On the |
| careful choices made in your shopping for hanukkah | | | | second night, you light the Shamash plus two, and so |
| gifts, crafts, toys, menorahs & activities, it is | | | | on until the end of Hanukkah. |
| possible to add new dimensions of understanding and | | | | There are traditional blessings that should be recited |
| enjoyment to this family festival appreciated by | | | | before the lighting of the menorah, two each night |
| young and old alike. | | | | and one extra the first night only. Before one recites |
| So, as you get ready to do your hanukkah shopping | | | | the blessings over lighting the candles at Hanukkah, |
| this year, explore the possibilities and pick up a new | | | | the following prayer, known as the Shehecheyanu, is |
| menorah that means something to you or your | | | | said only on the first night: |
| family, buy a book with mouthwatering recipes to | | | | Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'o-lam |
| remember, and indulge your children, grandchildren, | | | | she-he-che-ya-nu v'ki-yi-ma-nu v'hi-gi-a-nu la-z'man |
| nieces, nephews, cousins or friends with some of the | | | | ha-zeh. Amein. |
| many creative & imaginative toys and activities | | | | Blessed are you, O L-rd, our G-d, King of the |
| now available at online hanukkah shops to enhance | | | | universe Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and |
| their appreciation, rather than distract from, this | | | | enabled us to reach this season. Amen. |
| wonderful time also known as the Festival of Lights. | | | | On each night the following prayers are said: |
| Read on to learn more! | | | | Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'o-lam a-sher |
| The Jewish freedom fighters arose because | | | | ki-di-sha-nu b'mitz'vo-tav v'tzi-va-nu l'had'lik neir shel |
| Antiochus Epiphanes had forced the Jewish people to | | | | Hanukkah. Amein. |
| practice Greek culture and forbade them from | | | | Blessed are you, O L-rd, our G-d, King of the |
| reading the Torah. The insurrection was first led by | | | | universe Who has sanctified us with His |
| Mattathias the Hasmonean, and later by his son Judah | | | | commandments and commanded us to light the lights |
| the Maccabee. This is why the freedom fighters | | | | of Chanukah. Amen. |
| came to be known as the Maccabees. Even though | | | | Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'o-lam |
| the Maccabees were outnumbered, after three years | | | | she'a-sah ni-sim la'a-vo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim |
| of fighting they were able to recapture the Temple | | | | ba-zi-man ha-zeh. Amein. |
| mount and begin to repair the damage that had been | | | | Blessed are you, O L-rd, our G-d, King of the |
| done to it. However, when they went to rededicate | | | | universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors |
| the Temple and light the menorah, they found only | | | | in those days at this time. Amen. |
| enough oil to burn for one day, but they knew that it | | | | After the lighting it is customary to sing Maoz Tzur |
| would take eight days to make and consecrate more | | | | (Rock of Ages), a traditional song, as well as other |
| oil. | | | | Hanukkah songs. Many times the children or adults will |
| In faith the Maccabees decided not to wait the eight | | | | play the dreidel game while the candles are burning, |
| days, but rather they lit the menorah right away with | | | | do hanukkah crafts, eat chocolate gelt, cook up a |
| the remaining oil and a miracle happened as the oil | | | | platter of latkes & sour cream, or read the |
| continued to burn for eight days while new oil was | | | | story of hanukkah aloud. Often there are latkes and |
| being made and consecrated! For this reason, | | | | sofganiot (jelly donuts), as well as chocolate gelt and |
| Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days each year, | | | | other goodies. Any food cooked in oil is traditional |
| beginning with the 25th day of Kislev, and it is also | | | | during Hanukkah, but the most popular is probably |
| often known as the Festival of Lights. | | | | potato latkes, traditionally served with sour cream |
| Hanukkah, the celebration that commemorates this | | | | and apple sauce. |
| significant victory, and miracle, literally means | | | | Hanukkah menorahs themselves come in all shapes |
| "dedication." Each evening the Hanukkah menorah is | | | | and sizes. They can be made out of silver, gold, |
| lit, with one more candle being lit every day until all | | | | pewter, brass, ceramic, stone, wood, glass, or just |
| the candles are alight. The 9th branch carries the | | | | about any other material. In some homes, each |
| shammash (or "servant") candle, and this is used to | | | | person in the family has a Hanukkah menorah, |
| light the others. When you place the candles in the | | | | including the children. Many contemporary menorahs |
| menorah, always place them from right to left, but | | | | follow a theme such as sports, pets, trains, the city |
| when you light them you should do so from left to | | | | of Jerusalem, flowers, etc. Contemporary menorahs |
| right. This is to give honor to the newest member. | | | | will have the branches on all different levels, as in the |
| Once the candles are lit, let them burn out on their | | | | Tree of Life menorah. Some menorahs even |
| own, and do not use their light to light your room and | | | | substitute electric lights for candles, and there are as |
| do work or read by, but rather just to be looked at | | | | many themes out there as you can look for. The |
| to be appreciated and enjoyed. The light from the | | | | internet is a wonderful place to source new and |
| candles in the Hanukkah menorah are not supposed | | | | unique menorahs, and whether you are a biker, car |
| to provide light to see by because they are not | | | | racer, sailor, shoe collector, musician, chef, sports fan, |
| supposed to perform any work. The purpose of the | | | | hippy or whatever, there is a menorah out there for |
| candles is just to serve as a reminder of the miracle | | | | you! Just don't forget to order a box of hanukkah |
| of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple. | | | | candles at the same time! |
| The Hanukkah menorah has 9 branches. Eight of the | | | | |