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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
There's no such thing as Hanukkah people. Hanukkah is a holiday that is celebrated by Jewish people.
During Hanukkah, we customarily eat latkes (potato pancakes) or jelly donuts.
Kislev is a month, not a holiday. It occurs sometime during November to mid-December, depending on the year.
How many candles have been used on the last night of Hanukkah?
None. Here's why:
1. Jews do not celebrate Christmas; and Channukah is not the same as Christmas.
2. The channukiah (Channukah-menorah) holds a total of 9 candles so on the last night all 9 are lit. 8 candles represent the miracle that Channukah celebrates and the 9th one, called the shamesh, is used to light the other candles.
What does the holiday Hanukkah honor?
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 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 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 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 are the different colors on the menorah?
BLUE AND GOLD.
Answer:There are no special colors. Any colors are acceptable.Over what does Hanukkah celebrate the Maccabee victory?
Chanukah celebrates the maccabee victory over oppression and forced assimilation by the Seleucid Empire.
Answer:On Hanukkah the chief celebration is not for the Maccabees' 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 Maccabees' 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 in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. Despite being heavily outnumbered, 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. The Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) were miraculously victorious. When they reached the Temple grounds, they immediately reconsecrated it to God. As part of this action, they relit the Menorah (Exodus ch.25), which was fueled with olive oil. However, it soon became apparent that there was only sufficient oil to keep the candelabra burning for one single day - 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 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 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 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 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."
Which day does one wish another Happy Hanukkah?
Chanukah is an 8 day holiday so you would wish people a 'chag channukah sameach' on any of those 8 days.
Chanukah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days. Here are the coinciding secular dates for the upcoming years:
2011: December 20-28
2012: December 8-16
2013: November 27-December 5
2014: December 16-24
2015: December 6-14
What are some special food or drinks for Hanukkah?
Special foods include potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly donuts (sufganiyot). Also, any foods fried in oil are traditional. There are no special drinks.
Was the menorah ever used for lighting in ordinary homes?
No; the menorah is not allowed to be used for normal lighting.
The menorah's ninth branch, which must be either higher or lower than the other eight branches to separate it from them if the menorah is to be kosher, holds the shamash ("helper") candle. This is used to light the other candles (or oil) and to symbolise the fact that these candles have a special purpose other than just giving light like any other candelabrum.
(The Hanukkah-menorah recalls the seven-branched menorah used in the Temple at Jerusalem (see Exodus ch.25) which was eventually looted by the Romans, taken to Rome and then vanished from history. It is the oldest Jewish symbol, older than the Star of David, having been in use for at least 3,300 years.)
When is Hanukkah celebrated in modern times?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar, however, does not match up with the Gregorian calendar in common usage. Therefore the actual date of Hanukkah varies each year, always falling between late November and late December.
Why do you light the Hanukkah candles from left to right?
We place the candles from right to left, because one's right hand is more important than his left. But we light from left to right in order to light the newest candle first each night. The newest candle represents that day, while the candles to the right represent the days which have already passed.
In Hanukkah do they get presents and when?
Some families exchange presents, and some do not. Gift giving is most common among American and Canadian Jews (even some Orthodox) and was common in Germany before World War II.
It's a custom that only started in America in the 1960s due to influence from Christmas, and from German Jews.
If gifts are exchanged, they are usually given each night during the 8 nights of the holiday. But the only traditional gift during Hanukkah is the money or chocolate coins given to children.
Is it appropriate for a Christian boy to buy Hanukkah gifts for his Jewish girlfriend?
Yes, in fact, it is appropriate for him to show respect for all of her customs.
Hanukkah presents aren't a traditional part of Hanukkah anyway, so it really doesn't matter.
Answer:
According to Judaism, Jewish people should marry within their own faith. So the most appropriate thing for the boy to do would be to seek a girlfriend in his own religion. This can preclude a lot of later doubts and strife.
No, it is not true. Hanukkah is not even explicitly mentioned in the Torah, and is hardly in the class of Yom Kippur. When the "High Holy Days" are mentioned, that title refers to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur ... two holidays that are observed only 10 days apart.
Hanukkah is a celebration of events in Jewish history. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are Torah-holidays (Leviticus ch.23) that are dedicated to proclaiming God's kingship, to personal introspection, to taking stock of one's personal life and future intentions, to evaluating one's role as a member of the unified Jewish community, and to seeking the forgiveness of God and of people whom we have wronged in the previous year.
The Temple's menorah and the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah-menorah) are two different things that have a similar appearance.
The Temple's menorah was the seven-branched candelabra (in Exodus ch.25) that used to exist in the Great Temple in Jerusalem. All of the branches of the menorah were of equal height. The menorah itself was massive (eighteen hand-breaths high - roughly five feet tall), made of gold; and it had seven oil lamps that would be lit late every afternoon. Since the Destruction of the Second Temple, there has not been a menorah.
A Hanukkah-menorah (or hanukiah) on the other hand, is the nine-branched candelabra that Jews use to celebrate Hanukkah all over the world. Eight of the branches are of equal height while the ninth is usually higher (it can be lower, but the height must be distinguishable). Hanukiot can be oil lamps, or hold candles, or (where there are safety-issues) it can be electric. They are used during Hanukkah only and the number of candles lit each day corresponds to the number of days elapsed since the beginning of the eight-day holiday. The eight main branches symbolize the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth branch holds the Shamash or "leader candle" which is used to light the others. The choice of using the eight-flame hanukiah to symbolize Hanukkah is based upon the miracle of Hanukkah, in which a one-day supply of oil for the menorah was miraculously able to burn for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b).
(Note that many Orthodox Jews refer to the hanukkiah as a menorah; and there are halakha-sources which do the same since the word "hanukkiah" is a recent Israeli invention. However, it may be useful to refer to it as a hanukkiah in order to clarify the difference between the two objects.)
In Jewish tradition it is considered a minor holiday. (Major holidays in Judaism are those such as the Sabbath, when working is forbidden according to religious law. On Hanukkah working is allowed as usual, except while lighting the Menorah (Hannukiyah) and for half an hour afterwards. In fact, in Israel, where Jewish holidays are recognized officially, Hanukkah is observed as a vacation only in state's elementary and high schools. Other institutes and companies, private and public, work as usual.)
In the U.S., Hanukkah seems to be important since it occurs during the national holiday season, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many uninformed American Jews regard Hanukkah as the Jewish alternative to Christmas, and thus regard it with special importance.
What is given each night of Hanukkah?
The only traditional gift during Hanukkah is the gelt (coins) given to children.
What other games are played during Hanukkah other than dreidel?
Modern celebrations of Hanukkah can include almost any kind of game, but the Dreidel game is the only traditional game.
The sum of the number of days in Hanukkah and the number of sides in a snowflake?
There are 8 days of Hanukkah; and snowflakes have six sides or angles.
Are the used candles replaced each night for Hanukkah?
The candles are burned all the way to the end, and fresh candles are used each night (otherwise there would be nothing to light).
Answer:According to Halakha (Jewish law), one may extinguish the Hanukkah candles after they have been lit for at least one-half hour during or after twilight. In that case, the remainder of the same candles may be lit the following night if they're not too small.What does the food symbolize on Hanukkah?
The traditional oil-fried foods symbolize the olive oil of the Hanukkah-miracle.
