Shemot.com - Hanukkah

Judaism

Hanukkah

Hanerot Halalu

Hanerot Halalu, an ancient chant mentioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6), reminds us of the sacred nature of the Hanukkah lights that are lit to commemorate and publicize the chanukah_feature2 Hanukkah miracles. The song states that our sole intent in kindling Hanukkah lights is to publicize the miracle, and thus it is forbidden to use the lights in any other way.

After the reciting of the Hanukkah blessings and lighting the new light for that night, Hanerot Halalu is traditionally recited as additional lights are lit.

Hanukkah

The festival of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) was established to commemorate the Jewish Maccabees' military victory over the Greek-Syrians and the rededication of the Second Temple, which had been desecrated by the Greek-Syrians, to the worship of God. Thus, Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish national survival and religious freedom.

National Survival

The story of the Maccabees' military feats has been preserved in The First Book of Maccabees. In short, in response to religious persecution and oppression, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. The Maccabees, using guerilla warfare, miraculously succeeded to drive the far larger Greek-Syrian army out of Judea. The Hanukkah story proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit."

History of the Dreidel

Question: What is the source of the dreidel?

Answer: A dreidel (also spelled dreidl or draydel) is a four sided spinning top with a different Hebrew letter on each side. The game of dreidel is traditionally played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

The Ancient Connection

סביבון

Some people maintain that the dreidel game goes back to the time of the Greek-Syrians, and thus is integrally connected to the Hanukkah holiday. Since the Greek-Syrians prohibited the Jews from studying Torah, the Jews needed a way to hide their Torah learning. They used the dreidel as a decoy. When they saw the Greek-Syrians coming, the Jews would hide their books, take out their dreidels, and trick the Syrians into thinking they were just playing a game.

What is a Menorah?

Question: What is a Menorah?

Answer: A Menorah is a candelabrum that has meaning in Jewish history and ritual. There is a seven branched Menorah and a special nine branched Hanukkah Menorah, which is also called a Chanukiah.

The Seven Branched Menorah

According to the Bible (Ex. 37:17-24) and the Talmud (Men. 28b), Bezalel made the original Menorah from a single mass of gold for the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:31-40). The Tabernacle was the temporary, mobile center for worship of God used by the Israelites from the days of Moses until construction of First Temple in Jerusalem. In the First Temple in Jerusalem, the original Menorah sat with ten additional lamps, according to tradition. When the First Temple was destroyed, they were demolished.

How To Play the Dreidel

After lighting the Hanukkah menorah, you can play this traditional Hanukkah game with your family. All members of the household, from toddlers to senior citizens, can play this simple and fun game together. Playing dreidel is the perfect fun way to celebrate the holiday, create family memories, and strengthen your children’s Jewish identities.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 20-40 minutes

Here's How:

Hanukkah Story

About 2200 years ago, Greek kings, who reigned from Damascus, ruled over the land of Judea and the Jews living there.

dredil_new

One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah. Antiochus forced the Jews to worship the Greek gods. It is said that he placed an idol of the Greek God Zeus on the alter in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

A Jewish Struggle for Religious Freedom and National Survival

In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. They fought against paganism and oppression.

Hanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings

Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah (also called the Hanukkiah) is the essential observance of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah candles are lit to commemorate the the miracle of the Maccabees' victory and the miracle of the oil that burnt for eight days in the Temple.

How To Light the Menorah

Kindling Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) lights is the most important Hanukkah custom. Jews light Hanukkah candles to remember the miracle of the Maccabees' victory and the miracle of the oil that burnt for eight days in the holy Temple. It is a mitzvah (commandment from God) that Jews "publicize the miracle" by lighting a Hanukkah Menorah (also called a Chanukiah) each night during the eight days of Hanukkah.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 minutes

Question: What is The First Book of Maccabees?

Answer: This book was written by an anonymous Jewish historian who lived in the land of Judea in the second century BCE. The book describes the uprising of a small group of Maccabees, led by Judah, against the pagan armies of the Syrian King. The Maccabees won back the right of the Jews to practice Judaism thereby preserving monotheism in the world. The Maccabees also reestablished the political independence of the Jewish people and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. This book is one of the Apocrypha or "Outside Books" - ancient writings which were not included in the Bible.

Hanukkah

Hanerot Halalu

Hanukkah

History of the Dreidel

What is a Menorah?

How To Play the Dreidel

Hanukkah Story

Hanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings

How To Light the Menorah

Question: What is The First Book of Maccabees?

More Articles...

Our Designs