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Hanukkah
The festival of lights, as it is often called, is a celebration of both Jewish spiritual values and the triumph of the Jews over the armies of Antiochus IV.
984 Questions
When is the eight days of Hanukkah begin?
There are no rules about Hanukkah presents.
Some families exchange presents, and some do not. Gift giving is most common among American and Canadian Jews, but it's a custom that only started a few decades ago due to influence from Christmas.
If gifts are exchanged, they are usually given each night during the 8 nights of the holiday. There is no rule about how many presents are given each night, but it is often 1 per night.
Answer:The only traditional gift during Hanukkah is the gelt (coins) given to children.What is the name of the object which holds the candles on Hanukkah?
That candle holder is referred to as a "Hanukkah-menorah", or Hannukiyah.
The original Menorah was the holder of the oil lights in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, and had seven branches.
The holder for the Chanukah lights ... whether candles or oil ... has places for eight lights, plus an elevated holder for one more that's used to light the other eight.
War, Battle, Maccabee, Antiochus, Hasmoneans, Seleucid Empire, Syrian-Greeks, Hellenization, Rededication, Oil, Dreidel, Sevivon, Latkes, Potato Pancakes, Sufganiyot, Jelly Donuts, Gelt, Menorah, Hanukkiyah, Candles, Blessings, God, Holy Temple, Festival, Holiday, Jewish, Song, Jerusalem
Why do people not celebrate Hanukkah?
"Instead" implies that one thing is replacing another or that the two are corollaries of one-another. This is not the case. Jews celebrate Hanukkah contemporaneously with Christmas, but these holidays are different in celebration, meaning, and purpose. They have nothing in common other than that they are both in December.
Religious Jews ignore Christmas; it is simply not something of any importance to them in much the same way that Christians ignore Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha, or Diwali (which are Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu holidays) because they are not relevant to their tradition. Jews hold that their savior is not yet born, so it would be improper to celebrate the birth of a false Messianic Candidate.
How many candles do you light on the first day of hanukkak?
there should be 2 candles lit the center one and the first one. te center candle remains lit for the entire eight days of hanuuka there should be 2 candles lit the center one and the first one. te center candle remains lit for the entire eight days of hanuuka
Why is Hanukkah special to Jews?
Hanukkah is a minor holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
Answer:
On Hanukkah the chief celebration is not for the military victory; it's for the miracle of the oil (Talmud, Shabbat 21b). As an augmentation to the celebration of that miracle, we alsothank God during Hanukkah for the Hasmoneans' miraculous military victories (during which they ousted the Seleucids and their lackeys, the Hellenizing Jews, making possible the rededication of the Temple).
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees. When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again. After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more. Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch. 25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought. The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them.
This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil, just as we have no special occasion to mark Abraham's victory (Genesis ch.14), or those of Moses (Numbers ch.21), Joshua, Deborah (Judges ch.4), Gideon (Judges ch.6-7), Jephthah (Judges ch.11), or King David. And though the Hasmonean battles continued for two decades after the retaking of the Temple, the Sages instituted Hanukkah immediately after the miracle of the oil.
It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
What holidays do Jews celebrate in January?
Generally speaking, there are no major Jewish holidays that tend to fall in January. Hanukkah usually falls in December and the next major holiday, Tu B'Shvat, usually falls in February. However, there may be minor fasts or feast days in January.
Liberal Jews in Western countries may celebrate New Years Day and Liberal Jews in the United States may celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but neither of these holidays are of Jewish origin or carry any Jewish traditions.
What is celebrated on the Jewish holiday Haunikka?
The rededication of the Temple.
Answer:The rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil.The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. The Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah.
When they reached the Temple grounds and prepared to light the oil lamps of the Temple's menorah (Exodus ch.25), they found only one day's supply of unsullied olive oil. Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence still dwelt in the Holy Temple. This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
What kinds of presents do they get during Hanukkah?
Other than the Hanukkah-gelt (coins) given to one's children, gift-giving is not a traditional part of Hanukkah, so there is no such thing as traditional Hanukkah presents.
Some families exchange presents, and some do not. Gift giving is most common among American and Canadian Jews, but it's a custom that only started a few decades ago due to influence from Christmas.
When should the Menorah be turned off?
The tradition is that the menorah should burn until the candles are gone. When the menorah extinguishes itself, it is safe to put the menorah away until the next time.
What do you take to a Hanukkah party?
Latkes (potato pancakes) or jelly donuts. This is in addition to your regular healthy meals, not instead of them.See also the Related Link.
What kind of presents do they give on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah gifts are typically small, inexpensive gifts. Hanukkah gifts can be large expensive gifts too, but it depends on the relationship between the person giving the gift and the person receiving.
It may be noted that the only traditional gift on Hanukkah is the Hanukkah-gelt (coins) given to one's children.
What special clothing is worn on Hanukkah?
While Hanukkah is a religious Jewish occasion with special blessings and added prayers, it has no special clothing associated with it.
Some families like to dress up in the evenings, for the candle lighting, but most families do not.
What parts of the world celebrate Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews wherever they live. As of 2015:
Israel.......... 6,210,000
America....... 5,400,000
France......... 478,000
Canada........ 380,000
United Kingdom 290,000
Argentina.... 230,000
Russia........ 190,000
Germany......119,000
Australia...... 112,000
Brazil........... 107,300
South Africa.. 70,000
Mexico.......... 67,500
Ukraine......... 67,000
Hungary........ 48,000
Belgium........ 30,000
Holland......... 29,900
Poland...........25,000
Italy.............. 28,100
Chile............. 18,500
Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay.....17,000 each
Sweden.........15,000
Spain.............12,000
Other countries, combined: 120,000.
See also:
How do Jews celebrate Hanukkah at the synagogue?
Judaism has many holidays and Holy Days. Almost all of them are marked by additions to
the regular daily prayers, whether in the regular daily synagogue service or in regular daily
private prayer.
The main holy days are:
1 Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year
2 Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement
3 Sukkot - Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles)
4 Pesach - Passover
5 Shavuot - Feast of Weeks - Yom HaBikurim
The holiest day on the calendar is Shabbat (The Sabbath) which occurs every Friday night at sundown to Saturday night at sundown.
This is a list of most of the major holidays and minor festivals:
1 Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year
2 Aseret Yemei Teshuva - Ten Days of Repentance
3 Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement
4 Sukkot - Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles)
5 Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
6 Hanukkah - Festival of Lights
7 Tenth of Tevet
8 Tu Bishvat - New Year of the Trees
9 Purim - Festival of Lots
10 Pesach - Passover
11 Sefirah - Counting of the Omer
12 Lag Ba'omer
13 Shavuot - Feast of Weeks - Yom HaBikurim
14 Seventeenth of Tammuz
15 The Three Weeks and the Nine Days
16 Tisha B'av - Ninth of Av
17 Rosh Chodesh - the New Month
18 Shabbat - The Sabbath - שבת
19 Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance day
20 Yom Hazikaron - Memorial Day
21 Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day
22 Yom Yerushalaim - Jerusalem Day
What day is the first day of Hanukkah begin in 2009?
The first day of Chanukah is always the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev. This year, that date
corresponds to Saturday, December 12, 2009.
That means that the first candle will be lit, and the first day of Chanukah will begin, immediately
before the shabbat candles are lit, a short time before sunset on Friday, December 11th.
Who is involved in the celebration of Hanukkah?
The entire family. In some households each person lights his/her own menorah, but in any case everyone is present at the lighting, and they all sing the traditional songs (Maoz Tzur) and have the traditional foods.
During Hanukkah in what direction are the candles of the menorah lit?
You add candles from right to left, but light them from left to right using the shamash (the raised or offset "helper" candle).
_________
Most Jews light the candles from right to left.
Websters lists "dreidel" and "dreidl" as accepted spellings, and a 45 year old Random House dictionary lists only "dreidel". The ultimate authority, however, is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).
In any case I cannot find any reference to the spellings using the letter "y".
What order are the candles lit on Hanukkah?
One candle is lit on the first night, on the right hand side of the Menorah.
From the second night and on you add one candle each night. You place the candles from right to left and light them from left to right.
What is the best way to spell Hanukkah?
H- is said with a rasp (though less of a rasp than the "ch" in German)
A- like the "a" in "father"
N- as the letter N is pronounced in the English language
U- like the "u" in "rule"
KK- like the "kk" in "bookkeeping"
A- like the "a" in "father"
H- silent
When did people first celebrate Hanukkah?
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean war, which took place about 165 BCE, however, there are no written records of any holiday observance of Hanukkah until about 500 years later, in the Talmud.
Answer:
Unlike what the above answer says, the observance of Hanukkah is recorded in Josephus (Antiquities ch.12), in the book of Maccabees (I, 4:56-59; and II, 1:18), in the Mishna, and in Megillat Taanit (ch.9), all of which were written over 300 years before the Talmud. And the chief commemoration of Hanukkah is for the miracle of the oil (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), not the military victory. The victory, though also commemorated, is secondary.
Hanukkah is a minor holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
The real miracle of Hanukkah is that the Jews were victorious, against all odds, they beat their enemy and were able to restore the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the Greeks. In a larger context, Hanukkah represents victory against religious persecution and assimilation.
But a second miracle is more commonly known: A story in the Talmud (500 years later) tells of a legendary miracle. After the war, When the Jews returned to rededicate the ancient Temple, they found that there was only enough oil to keep the eternal lamp burning for 1 day. It would take 8 days to make more of this special oil. So the lit the lamp, and it miraculously burned for 8 days, giving them plenty of time to make more oil to keep the lamp burning.
This second miracle is very popular with children. It is understood as a legend only, and appears to be the early Rabbis' attempt to add a spiritual level to the holiday.
Answer:The above answer is non-traditional. Our tradition is that the miracle of the oil did indeed occur and isn't just a legend. If it wasn't for the clear tradition of our Sages, Hanukkah would have been forgotten long ago. Moreover, on Hanukkah the chief celebration is not for the military victory; it's for the miracle of the oil (Talmud, Shabbat 21b). As an augmentation to the celebration of that miracle, we also thank God during Hanukkah for the Hasmoneans' military victory (during which they ousted the Seleucids and their lackeys, the Hellenizing Jews, making possible the rededication of the Temple).The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. The Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. When they reached the Temple grounds, they found only one day's supply of unsullied olive oil, but the oil lamps miraculously burned for eight days (ibid.), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence still dwelt in the Holy Temple. This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). The eight-day rededication of the Temple is also mentioned in the book of Maccabees (I, 4:36; and II, 1:18); and Josephus mentions the eight-day festival in Antiquities ch.12.
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil, just as we have no special occasion to mark Abraham's victory (Genesis ch.14), or those of Moses (Numbers ch.21), Joshua, Deborah (Judges ch.4), Gideon (Judges ch.6-7), Jephthah (Judges ch.11), or King David. And though the Hasmonean battles continued for two decades after the retaking of the Temple, the Sages instituted Hanukkah immediately after the miracle of the oil.
It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
What do the Jewish dreidel symbols mean?
The Hebrew letters inscribed on a dreidel are a Nun, Gimel, Hey or Chai, and Shin. The letters form an acronym for the Hebrew saying Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which can be translated to "a great miracle happened there," referring to the miracle which Hanukkah is centered around.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated on different dates?
Because Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that follows the Hebrew calendar, which is lunisolar.
Hanukkah always starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days. The Hebrew calendar does not line up with the western calendar because it has a completely different leap year system that can shift holidays each year by to 11-28 days.
Here are the coinciding secular dates for the upcoming years. The candle lightings begin on the evening BEFORE the first date:
2011: December 20-28
2012: December 8-16
2013: November 27-December 5
2014: December 16-24
2015: December 6-14
