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The Hanukkah StoryIn the year 167 BCE (that is, Before the Common Era) Antiochus (an-tay-o-kus), a Syrian king, ruled Israel. During his rule, Jews were forced to hellenize: Jewish ritual was banned and Jews were forced to join the dominant culture and adopt its way of life. Why did Antiochus care about limiting Jewish observance? Some suggest as an effort to consolidate his rule over the land and its people. Others think the Jewish elite of the time embraced hellenization and wanted to impose its will on fellow Jews. In each story, the goal was to fully assimilate Jews into the dominant culture of the ruling class. Back to the story A small group of Jews who lived outside of Jerusalem in Modi'in, the Macabees, resolutely opposed these changes. They organized a small, guerilla-style, army under the leadership of Judah Macabee. Miraculously, this small group defeated both of their oppressors, Antiochus' army and the Jewish elite, and established themselves as the new ruling class for nearly 100 years. What about the oil? Several hundred years later, the religious leaders of the time (the rabbis) felt uncomfortable with this piece of history which celebrated aggression and civil clashes. They introduced a new feature to the story, which has now become the dominant symbol of the holiday. Here's how it goes When the Macabees celebrated their victory reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, they re-lit the flame of the Temple's Menorah with a small cruse of oil they found. The cruse contained enough for only one day. When they used the oil, it miraculously burned for not one but eight days. The "miracle of the oil" was integrated into the history of Hanukkah, and lighting candles for eight days became its central ritual. [Top of Page][Making Connections Home]
Rituals often mean more than we can explain. In lighting the menorah we conjure our memories of the Maccabees, of the first Hanukkah, of the meaning of "dedication." Even without full explanation or firm conclusions, we make rituals part of who we are. The Hebrew phrases lead us to gaze into the flames and reflect. To fully understand Hanukkah, just observe how your children watch the candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place one candle on the extreme right end of the Menorah. Light the Shammash (the server candle) and with the Shammash light the first candle while saying the three blessings below. On the second night, place two candles on the right end of the Menorah. Use the Shammash to light the two candles, lighting the one on the left first while saying the first two blessings below. Follow the same procedure on all the rest of the nights; put candles in from the right end of the Menorah and light from the left hand side. It is traditional to place the Menorah in a window so that it can be seen by passersby. What to eat Traditional Hanukkah foods are traditional (though not the most healthy) because they are fried in oil. The most common food is latkes, fried potato pancakes; in Israel, jelly donuts (sufganiot) fried in oil, are also eaten. What about presents? While gift-giving has become part of the Hanukkah celebration, no one knows exactly when and where the tradition originated. Jewish tradition does associate gift-giving with other holidays: Pesach (Passover), Rosh HaShanah (New Year) and Purim. [Top of Page][Making Connections Home]How to Play the Dreidel GameA dreidel is a top with one Hebrew letter on each side. Together they form the initials for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham...A Great Miracle Happened There." The Rules Each player starts with the same number of nuts, m&m's, pennies, (you get the idea). 1. Each player antes one piece. 2. The first player spins the Dreidel. 3. When the Dreidel stops, do what the letter tells you:
(Nun) the spinner
gets nothing. 4. Go back to #1 and the second player plays, and so on! [Top of Page][Making Connections Home]The Hanukkah BlessingsThe first is a blessing over the candles themselves:
Barukh
atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher Praised are You, Adonai, Our God, Sovereign of the universe, who makes us holy through mitzvot and commands us to light the Hanukkah candles. The second blessing expresses thanks for the "miracle" of deliverance:
Praised are You, Adonai, Our God, Sovereign of the universe, who did wondrous things for our ancestors in former times at this season. The third blessing is chanted only on the first night:
Praised are You, Adonai, Our God, Sovereign of the universe, who keeps us alive, sustains us, and brought us to this occasion. [Top of Page][Making Connections Home]Get
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Making Connections is a project of the Jewish Outreach Partnership of Greater Philadelphia in cooperation with area synagogues and Jewish agencies. Making Connections has been funded by a special grant from the Continuity Commission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. | |
| Rabbi
Philip Warmflash, Executive Director, Jewish Outreach Partnership Kathy
Elias, Director, |
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