Hanukkah starts soon

Hanukkah is the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. It's also known as the Festival of Lights and usually takes place in December, at the time of year when the days are shortest in the northern hemisphere. This year it starts on Sun., Dec 14 at sundown, when we light the first candle. 

In 167 BCE, the Jews of Judea revolted against the oppression of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire. The military leader of the first phase of the revolt was Judah the Maccabee, the eldest son of the priest Mattityahu (Mattathias). In the autumn of 164, Judah and his followers captured the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a pagan shrine. They cleansed it and rededicated it to Israel’s G-d. This event was observed in an eight-day celebration, which was patterned like Sukkot, the autumn festival of huts. 

Hanukkah Gifts

Note: Hanukkah shipping and delivery may be delayed, because of the holiday season. 

Much later rabbinic tradition focuses on Hanukkah and it's length and the miracle of the small amount of oil that burned for eight days. They didn't want to focus on a battle, but instead on the Festival of Lights.

Chanukah has become one of the most beloved of Jewish holidays. In an act of defiance against those in the past and in the present who would root out Jewish practice, the observance of Hanukkah has assumed a visible community aspect and public candle lighting. At such celebrations, Hanukkah songs are sung. Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion. 

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Hanukkah Traditions

Updated 10/22/21

Hanukkah traditions in America include lighting a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. 

The word hanukkah means dedication. The Festival of Lights celebrates the rededicationof the holy Temple after the Greeks destroyed it, trying to force Greek cultures and beliefs on Jewish people.

Our hero of the story is Judah Maccabee, who led a small army against the Greeks and won the battle driving the Greeks from the land.

When they relit the menorah in the holy Temple, they found only a single container of ritually pure olive oil that normally would last one day, but this one lasted eight. The sages instituted the holiday of Chanukah to celebrate the miracle.

You add a new candle to the menorah for each of Chanukah's eight nights and light them after sundown. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”) is used to light the others. There are actually arguments about lighting all the candles on the first night or the last.

Blessings

From the 2nd century BCE to today, Jews recite blessings and display the menorah prominently in a window to share the miracle that inspired the holiday.

The Hanukkah blessings 

First:

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr kha-noo-kah

Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

Second:

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-ah-sah nee-sim lah-ah-voh-tay-noo bah-yah-mim hah-haym biz-mahn hah-zeh

Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

Third blessing, recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Chanukah):

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh

Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Food

In another reference to the Hanukkah oil miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Potato pancakes (known as latkes) are eaten. 

Israeli and Sephardic Jews also make jelly-filled donuts (sufganiyot) during Chanukah.

Recipes

Jelly donuts by The Grapevine

Sweet Potato Latkes by Heather Christo

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

Other Hanukkah customs include playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and exchanging gifts.

There are 4 Hebrew letters on the dreidel, spelling out “A miracle happened there.” (This is the Diaspora version. In Israel, it’s “A miracle happened here.)

Buy Handmade

In the U.S., Hanukkah has exploded into a major commercial phenomenon, largely because it falls near or overlaps with Christmas.

A new tradition I am encouraging is for women to wear handmade Hanukkah jewelry, either a necklace, bracelet and/or earrings or other artisan crafted Chanukah gifts to other women.

By supporting small businesses, you are helping artisans pay for gifts, supplies, groceries, car repairs, and contibute more to society. You're actually supporting a family, not huge retailers.

This is one of my last year's best selling Hanukkah charm bracelets.

Check out this Hanukkah song by Matisyahu. 

From a religious perspective, however, Chanukah is a relatively minor holiday that places no restrictions on working, attending school, or other activities. It'a a fun holiday!

Menorah Necklace

The First and Second Books of Maccabees contain the most detailed accounts of the battles of Judah Maccabee and his brothers to liberate Judea from foreign domination. These books include the earliest references to the story of Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple.  Yet, these two books are missing from the Hebrew Bible.

What are your Hanukkah traditions or favorite memories? Post a comment so we can all share in the joy. 

What is Hanukkah? 

In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in G‑d. 

Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G‑d.

When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah.

About Me

In case you don't know me, I'm Linda B of LinorStore Jewelry, and I help women find Jewish Jewelry and kippot and other jewelry and accessories to Celebrate Joy for Holidays and Everyday!

Dreidel Chain Necklace (see below*)

Hanukkah Menorah Necklace on Black Cord

Wishing Joy and light to the world!

Enjoy this Candlelight song by the Maccabeats.

Sparkly Hanukkah Charm Bracelet

Shalom!

*Note: The U.S. Postal Service is experiencing delays of 3-5 days. If you're purchasing a gift for Hanukkah, you may need to add $5.50 for Priority Mail service. I can't guarantee that you'll receive orders before Hanukkah after Dec. 4. 

Source: Chabad