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How is Chanukah celebrated?

by Rabbi Mendy Hecht

  

Library » Holidays » Chanukah » The Laws | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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1. Make Light of Matter


The centerpiece of Chanukah, the one we’re all familiar with, is the nine-branched candelabrum1 known to the world as the Menorah, which is lit each Chanukah night. To find out how, when and where to light the menorah, see How do I light the Menorah.


2. Be Appreciative


The rabbis knew what they were doing when they established Chanukah as a holiday for posterity--its timeless lessons of spiritual identity and religious freedom are things to cherish and celebrate in every day and age. For this reason, we thank G-d each day of Chanukah by reciting the complete Hallel in the Shacharit Tefillah. We also insert a special prayer of thanksgiving, called the V'al Hanissim, whenever reciting the Amidah or Grace After Meals. Also, due to the festive atmosphere, throughout Chanukah (and also by the Minchah prayer of the day beforehand) we omit the Tachanun from our prayers.


its timeless lessons of spiritual identity and religious freedom are things to cherish and celebrate in every day and age
3. Get Fried, Go for a Spin


It is custumary to eat fried foods on Chanukah to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Pan-fried potato fritters known as latkes (pronounced LAHT-kess), which means pan-fried potato fritters in some language, are traditionally home-manufactured and consumed in large quantities over the Chanukah holiday. Another Holiday favorite is Suvganiyot, a.k.a. (jelly) doughnuts, which are easier to make than you think, and the kids love to decorate (and eat) em. Also, don't forget to play dreidel. The dreidel (pronounced DRAY-dul) is a small, four-sided, pointy-bottomed top with a Hebrew letter on each side, forming a Hebrew-language acronym for "[a] great miracle happened there." Dreidel games are reminiscent of the little games Jewish kids would whip out and play to hide their secret Torah classes under Seleucid domination.


4. Spread the Light


Chanukah is all about publicizing the great miracle of the triumph of light over darkness. Be a sport and share the Chanukah message with a friend. Invite over some friends for a Latke Party, share with them the message, and encourage them to light their own menorahs in their own homes.


5. Share the Wealth


And last, but definitely not least, it is customary to give the children Chanukah Gelt; not the Chocolate coins (although you can give those too), but real Gelt - money. We give the children this Chanukah gift to excite them about their holidays and heritage, and encourage them to celebrate what the Macabees fought so hard for: A proud Jewish identity.


See also What is Chanukah? , When is Chanukah? , What do we light first? Chanukah candles or Shabbat candles? , Why do we play Dreidel on Chanukah? , Can I use an electric Menorah for Chanukah? ,and Can you help me find a Chanukah celebration in my area? .

Footnotes

  • 1. Eight branches in a straight row for the eight nights of Chanukah, and one branch off to the side, higher, or lower, for the Shamash - the candle used to light the others.

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COMMENTS

Menorah in Public Place

Posted by: Anonymous, Sunnyvale, CA on Dec 22, 2004

I would like to know why it has become customary in many communities to display a menorah alongside Christmas symbols in public places.

Editor's Comment

The point is placing the Menorah in public places... not that it should be adjacent to Christian symbols...

See What is the point of public Menorahs?

Oil in the menorah

Posted by: Harris Lilienfeld, Yardley, PA on Feb 14, 2005

As I was reading this weeks Torah portion I noted that the oil in the menorah was lit only at night.

My view of the miracle of Chanukah was that the little bit of oil lasted 8 days until more oil could be made. At that time did the oil burn conimuosly or only at night???

Editor's Comment

The candles were lit by night but were not extinguished in the morning. They were allowed to burn until they went out themselves.

The Chanukah candles burned continuously for eight days and nights.

Menorahs

Posted by: Virgil Camby, St. Petersburg, FL on Feb 16, 2005

What are the types of menorahs? and their use.

Editor's Comment

The most common Menorah (which literally means candelabra) is the one with nine branches/candle holders, used for Chanukah: eight for the eight days of Chanukah, and one for the Shamash. (The Shamash candle should be slightly higher or lower than the other candles, which should all be in a straight line).

In the Holy Temple in Jerusalem there was a Seven-branch Menorah. The design for that Menorah was transmitted to Moses by G-d, and built specifically to be lit in the Holy Temple. The Chanukah Menorah is not really designed to replicate the Menorah in the Temple, rather to facilitate the celebration of an eight day miracle.

You may also occasionally see a five-branched Menorah, especially at the cantor's stand in a synagogue. This is because it is customary that when the services are being lead by a mourner five candles should be lit in memory of the deceased.

Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Tachanun
Sections of the prayers involving confession and asking for forgiveness. Tachanun is omitted from the prayers on the festive days of the Jewish calendar.
Chanukah
An eight day mid-winter holiday marking: 1) The miraculous defeat of the mighty Syrian-Greek armies by the undermanned Maccabis in the year 140 BCE. 2) Upon their victory, the oil in the Menorah, sufficient fuel for one night only, burned for eight days and nights.
Hallel
Hebrew word meaning "praise." Normally is a reference to Psalms 113-118-- Psalms of jubilation which are recited during the morning prayers of all joyous holidays.
Grace After Meals
Biblically mandated prayer, consisting of four blessings, recited after eating more than an ounce of bread.
Amidah
Highlight of every prayer, recited silently while standing. Weekday Amidah consists of nineteen blessings, Sabbath and holiday Amidah contains seven blessings.
Shacharit
Morning prayer service. One of the three prayers a Jew is obligated to pray every day.
Menorah
Candelabra. Usually a reference to the nine-branched candelabra kindled on the holiday of Chanukah.
Tefillah
Prayer. The Jewish Sages instituted three daily prayers, and an additional prayer on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays.
Minchah
Afternoon prayer service. One of the three prayers a Jew is obligated to pray every day.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.