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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
What letter of dreidel means you won the game?
No letter on the dreidel means you won the game.
First, everyone antes on piece of candy (or one chocolate coin). Then each person spins to see what they get:
- Nun (×?) - none
- Gimmel (×’) - get all
- Heh (×”) - half
- Shin (ש) - put one in
When you are out of candy, you're out of the game. The last one with candy wins.
(In Israel it's Pe (פ) instead of Shin ש).
Outside of Israel: Nun, Gimmel, Heh and Shin are the initial letters for the words Nes Gadol Hai'ya Sham (×?ס גדול ×”×™×” ש×), which translates to 'A great miracle happened there'.
In Israel: Nun, Gimmel, Heh and Pe stands for Nes Gadol Hai'ya Po, which translates to 'A great miracle happened here' (×?ס גדול ×”×™×” פה).
What channel is Hanukkah music on?
It depends on what part of the world you live in. In most parts, there are no options for Hanukkah music on the radio or television.
What are the Hebrew prayers for each night of Hanukkah?
The 3 Hanukkah blessings are said when you light the candles:
"Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Shel Cha-nu-kah." (Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.)
You also recite:
"Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh." (Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.)
And on the first night only, you recite the prayer for a special occasion:
"Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man ha-zeh." (Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)
After lighting the candles, you say the HaNerot Hallalu prayer; and Al HaNisim is added to the Grace after Meals and to the regular Amidah prayer.
He was the father of the Maccabee family, who were the Jewish resistance against the Seleucid Empire during the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
What is the reason for celebrating chanukah?
Chanukah commemorates a Jewish revolt against a Hellenistic king of Syria, Antiochus (167 BCE). The Hellenizing king placed a statue of Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem, sacrificed pigs on the altar, and actively suppressed Jewish practice (including observance of the Sabbath.) The revolt was led by Mattahias the Maccabee and his son Judah. A miracle occurred at the end of the successful revolt. A small vessel containing the olive oil used to consecrate the retaking of the Temple burned for 8 straight nights instead of the expected 2. That is why a menorah is lit with eight candles for the 8 nights of celebration. Also, potato pancakes are fried in oil and jelly doughnuts are prepared in oil to remember the original oil vial.
What are the gifts called that children traditionally receive around Hanukkah?
The only traditional gifts in Hanukkah is the Hanukkah-gelt (coins) given to children.
When and Where is Hanukkah celebrated?
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:
2014: December 16-24
2015: December 6-14
It begins sundown on December 4 and lasts until sundown on December 12, 2007. For 2008, it beings on December 21; for 2009, it begins on December 11; and for 2010, it begins on December 1. Xox, Smartiiz.
Why do you celebrate Hanukkah for 8 days if themiracle was only for 7 days?
The legend of the miracle states that the oil burned for 8 days. But the real reason that Hanukkah is 8 days is that it was actually a belated celebration of Sukkot, the harvest festival.
Answer:
The answer concerning Sukkot is based upon a non-traditional source. Sukkot is celebrated at the correct time or not at all.
To answer the original question, many answers have been put forward by the commentaries, including:
1) the extra day is to celebrate the military victory
2) only one-eighth of the oil burned each day
3) the first day is a celebration of the rededication itself.
Why does a Hanukkah menorah have an extra socket?
A Hanukkah menorah, also known as a Hanukiah, has nine branches instead of the usual seven branches of a traditional menorah. The extra socket is for the Shamash, which is the servant candle used to kindle the other candles. Each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, so the Shamash is used to light the other candles without diminishing their importance.
Why do Jews respect Hanukkah so much?
Hanukkah is actually one of the least important of the Jewish holidays in the year. The thing is that Non-Jews tend to notice Hanukkah more than other holidays because of the importance of Christmas and their seeing that Jews do something else at that time of year. Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and numerous other holidays are much more important and respected.
As for why Jews respect Hanukkah to the degree that they do, it is because it is a part of their identity and its spiritual and uplifting components.
Why does Hanukkah start in different months in a year?
Hanukkah starts on different days, but it almost always starts in December (or the last few days of November).
Hanukkah is always on the 25th of Kislev, which is on the Jewish calendar. Because this calendar uses a different leap year system, it doesn't line up with the western calendar.
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 theי 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' 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 eight-day rededication of the Temple is also mentioned in pre-Talmudic sources: Megillat Taanit (ch.9), the book of Maccabees (I, 4:56-59; and II, 1:18); and Josephus (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."
Is there any connection between Hanukkah and number 60?
There is no traditional connection, but there could be a modern connection. There is a traditional connection to the number 8 though.
What website can you listen to oh Hanukkah with no words?
See related links. This is the closest I could find. The first half has no words and the second have does.
What is the holiday Hanukkah all about?
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.
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' 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, 4:56-59; 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 percentage of people celebrate Hanukkah in each country?
Slightly less than the percentage of Jews in each country (since Hanukkah is a Jewish festival and most but not all Jews celebrate it).
What preparations do Jews make for Hanukkah?
Jews prepare for Hanukkah by buying sufficient material to light the Menorah for 8 days. This could be done by buying 36 candles, or oil and wicks as well as matches or a lighter. A menorah would be prepared - see http://www.answers.com/topic/hanukiah for what constitutes a kosher menorah. Some would also familiarize themselves with the Al ha-Nissim prayer that is added during Hanukkah. You can find the English translation of it at http://www.answers.com/topic/hanukkah - half way down the "page". (Page 6 in the printed format.)
Who asks why we light eight candles instead of seven candles on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah commemorates this miracle with the lighting of candles on eight successive nights. A Hanukkah menorah, with nine branches instead of the seven on a regular menorah, is used for this purpose. Eight of the candles are lit one by one on each night of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, known as the shamash, is lit every night and used to kindle the other candles.
Does Hanukkah start tonight or tomorrow night?
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
Why is Hanukkah so early this year?
Because the Hebrew calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the dates of Jewish holidays according to the Gregorian calendar change from year to year. For this reason, the beginning of Hanukkah can range from late November to late December.
In 2021, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, November 28, and continues through Monday, December 6.
