Chanukkah

B'nai Emet -> Holidays -> Chanukkah

Light the first Chanukkah candle on Sunday, December 21, 2008

Chanukkah Observance

The Menorah: The menorah, or Chanukkiya, symbolizes Chanukkah for many people. It is a candelabrum with holders for nine lights, usually candles-eight candles to represent the eight days of Chanukkah and a ninth "shamash" candle which lights the other candles, then burns above them. The menorah is often placed in a window to publicize the miracle represented by the menorah and illuminated candles.

Lighting the Menorah: Lighting the menorah is a reminder of the miracle of Chanukkah, the triumph of the few over the many, and the fight for religious freedom in the face of the threat of forced assimilation. The famous story of the single cruse of oil that lasted for eight days gives religious meaning to this practice. On the first night of Chanukkah, a single candle is lit on the far right side of the menorah. Each night, an additional candle is added from right to left. The newest candle is always lit first. The candles should be lit as soon as stars are visible in the night sky, but they can be lit later. The candles are allowed to burn until they burn out.

Blessing over Chanukkah lights:

On all eight nights, the following two blessings are recited. The first praises God for commanding us to light the Chanukkah lights.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukkah.

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe, by whose mitzvot we are made holy, and who commands us to kindle the Chanukkah lights.

The second blessing praises God for performing miracles for our ancestors.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, she-asa nissim la'avoteinu Bayamim ha-hem ba-z'man ha-zeh.

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in days gone by at this season.

A third blessing, the "shehechiyanu," is included only on the first night to mark the first time the Chanukkah lights have been lit this season.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam shehecheyanu v'ki-y'manu v'higiyanu la-zman ha-zeh.

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

Chanukkah Links:

Chanukkah Guide - Setting up the Chanukkiyah and lighting the candles.

Chanukkah Songs - Click here for your favorite Chanukkah songs.

Chanukkah Gifts - Out of gift ideas? Click here for some of the best.

Chanukkah Games and Activities - Games, Activities, Crafts, and Greeting Cards.

Chanukkah together - Ideas to help parents and children enjoy Chanukkah

Ort's Chanukkah pages - many pages of history, games, art, songs.

Chanukkah history

B'nai Recipes:

Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and other Chanukkah delicacies

Additional recipes may be found at:

http://www.virtualchanukah.com/lights/recipeindex.html

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article.asp?AID=102819