Celebrating Hanukkah
The Festival of Light
When is Hanukkah, the Festival of Light?
On Sunday night, December 21st, we will be celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival of Light for eight days.
Hanukkah History
Starting on the 25th of Kislev, we will be celebrating Hanukkah and the victory of the Jewish people over their mighty Hellenic oppressors, and their subsequent freedom to follow once again in the ways of the Torah. The celebration of Hanukkah honors the liberation of our Holy Temple, which the Hellenists had defiled and desecrated. Once the Jews cleansed and purified the Temple, it was free to be used for its holy purpose, bringing the Jewish people closer to G-d.Torah in general, and chasidic teachings in particular, helpliberate us from our personal (often self-imposed) "prisons."During the month of Kislev, then, it is appropriate to increase our study of Torah. This study will help us reflect upon how best to use the opportunities available to us because of the religious freedom that we are fortunate to enjoy today. Let us pray that G-d speedily grant us the ultimate freedom thatwill come with the revelation of
Moshiach
For then we will truly be free to serve G-d, in the third and final Holy Temple.
Celebrating Hanukkah:
The Menorah Candles
Kindle the
Hanukkah menorah
on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Use olive oil or paraffin candles, large enough to burn until half an hour after nightfall, for the lights of the menorah. Use a "shamesh" (service candle) to kindle the lights, and place it in its special place on the menorah.
Celebrating Hanukkah
with the Whole Family
All members of the family should be present at the kindling ofthe Hanukkah lights. Have all young boys kindle their own Hanukkah menorahs and, on Friday afternoon, have all young girls light their own Shabbat candles. Students and singles, who live in a dormitory or in their own apartments, should kindle menorahs in their own rooms.
The Hanukkah candles
are kindled either in the front window or by a doorway, opposite the mezuzah. (In a hotel, for example, or where there is no mezuzah, the menorah is placed on the right side of the door.)On Friday afternoon the Hanukkah candles (which will burn until1/2 hour after nightfall) are kindled *BEFORE* the Shabbat candles are lit. FROM THE TIME THE SHABBAT CANDLES ARE LIT UNTIL SHABBAT ENDS ANDTHE HAVDALAH (separation between Shabbat and weekday) PRAYER ISRECITED, THE CHANUKAH MENORAH SHOULD NOT BE RELIT, MOVED ORPREPARED. *AFTER* SHABBAT ENDS, the Chanukah lights for Saturdaynight are kindled. Please Note: The candle is placed on the extreme right of the menorah. The"newest" candle is always added to the left of the one that was lit the previous night, and is first to be lit (i.e., on the second night we light the second candle, and then we light the candle of the previous night, proceeding from left to right; and so on, on each of the other nights).
Hanukkah Prayers and Hanukkah Blessings
Reciting the Hanukkah blessings and prayers are an important part of celebrating Hanukkah. Before kindling the lights, recite: #1 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM A-SHER KI-DE-SHO-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VE-TZI-VO-NU LE-HAD-LIK NER CHA-NU-KAH. Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light. #2 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM SHE-O-SO NI-SIM LA-AVO-SEI-NU BA-YO-MIM HO-HEIM BI-Z'MAN HA-ZEH. Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time. #3 The following blessing is said only on the first evening (or the first time one kindles the lights this Chanukah): BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM SHE-HECHE-YO-NU VE-KI-YE-MO-NU VE-HIGI-O-NU LIZ-MAN HA-ZEH. Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion. * * * After kindling the lights, the following is recited: We kindle these lights (to commemorate) the saving acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy kohanim. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations.
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