From candle-lighting to Maccabees and latkes to dreidels. Hanukkah has developed into a holiday rich with historical significance, physical and supernatural miracle narratives, and a dialogue with Jewish history. (Think of it as lighting the candle representing the current night first.) By 167 B.C.E, Antiochus intensified his campaign by defiling the Temple in Jerusalem and banning Jewish practice. Our mission is to inspire bold, joyful, meaningful living. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as Israels parliament, the Knesset. Falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December. Complete laws and history of lighting the Hanukkah candles. Families also use the period after candle lighting for games, singing and gift-giving. This time period is traditionally used for family learning, specifically to teach children about Hanukkah through study and discussion. 19, 2023 @ 4:00 pm EDT. The Story In 168 BCE King Antiochus IV had control over Israel and turned the Temple in Jerusalem into a pagan shrine. Only three lines are devoted to the events of Hanukkah while three pages detail when, where and how the Hanukkah lights should be lit. Deepen your Hanukkah celebration this year by preparing for the Festival of Lights with a couple of holiday-themed crafting sessions. Hanukkah 101 | My Jewish Learning Submit Email Sign Up Some areas of this page may shift around if you resize the browser window. The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles. What is the story of Hanukkah and why does it not appear in the Jewish bible? Since the Hanukkah lights fulfill a religious obligation, the rabbis forbade using them for any other purpose, even Torah study. Jewish parents may be introducing children to their own culture's traditions and history, while non-Jewish families can also gain a lot from teaching kids about the specifics of another culture and religion. In the autumn of 164, Judah and his followers were able to capture the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a pagan shrine. Sephardic Jewish cuisine. Pronounced: sue-KOTE, or SOOH-kuss (oo as in book), Origin: Hebrew, a harvest festival in which Jews eat inside temporary huts, falls in the Jewish month of Tishrei, which usually coincides with September or October. About 250 years after these events, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote his account of the origins of the holiday. Explaining the use and meaning of the Hanukkah lights. Since Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, the holiday will inevitably overlap with Shabbat at least once. The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles. (It's also called the Jewish calendar and is used to track religious dates.) The final two letters have the numerical equivalent of 25. Splurging on gifts may be ok . are completed. "What You Need to Know About the Hanukkah Story." My Jewish Learning, https://www.myjewishlearning . Babies and toddlers will soon be turning the pages themselves, naming objects, joining in with the text, and learning all about the magical time of Hanukkah. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. The Bakers Reimagining Traditional Jewish Pastries. Beginning in 175 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes took over for his father to rule the Seleucid Empire, according to History.com. On the first of Hanukkahs eight nights, only two candles are placed in the Hanukkah menorah: the shamash, or helper candle, which has its own designated spot (usually in the center), and another candle that designates it is the first night. Cooking and Food. What happens when a people has no land of its own? Hosted By: Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). A sacred obligation. I began my own schooling in a Jewish preschool classroom rich in play and learning activities related to religious and secular topics. Jonnie Schnytzer has taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. Get all the details on the holiday here. Popular Songs for Chanukah: BJE inspires the Jewish Identity of our Community's youth by providing a comprehensive Jewish education in NSW State Schools. Led by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus (died c. 161 bce), the Maccabees were the first Jews who fought to defend their religious beliefs rather than their lives. Since they were unable to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at its proper time in early autumn, the victorious Maccabees decided that Sukkot should be celebrated once they rededicated the Temple, which they did on the 25th of the month of Kislev in the year 164 B.C.E. Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah is one of the few Jewish holidays not mentioned in the Bible. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. We celebrate Hanukkah at home by lighting the menorah (each night we light one additional candle to the number from the previous night), playing dreidel, and eating special foods unique to Hanukkah. At such celebrations, Hanukkah songs are sung and traditional games such as dreidel are played. Follow. This ninth spot is for the shamash, or helper candle, that is used to light the others. Also be aware of dietary restrictions and steer clear of gift baskets that contain Canadian bacon, fancy dried shrimp, Italian blood sausage or Christmas fruitcake. Happy Hanukkah! In Sephardi communities, an extra candle not part of the menorah is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last and the extra candle used for lighting is blown out. In the days of the Chasidic leader, the Ba'al Shem Tov (1698-1760), rabbis often traveled to distant villages to give instruction to impoverished and illiterate Jews, generally refusing payment. When is Hanukkah 2023? Jewish Life. This definition points to the holiday's origin as a celebration of the rededication of the ancient temple in Jerusalem. He was one of the co-hosts of the National Public Radio evening news broadcast All Things Considered from 1987- 2018. Hanukkah is celebrated around the world, wherever there are Jewish people. How the festival of lights became a holiday, and how it has evolved in modern times. Pronounced: DRAY-dul, Origin: Yiddish, a spinning top, with four sides, each marked with a different Hebrew letter (nun, gimel, hay and shin), it is played with on Hanukkah. With in New York, Washington, Israel, Europe and cities around the globe, JTA provides . Unleash your Hanukkah spirit with these adorably Jew-ish cats, dogs and other furry friends. of a group of Jewish people (the Maccabees) over the Syrian Greeks, who had been occupying the Land of Israel since before 167 B.C. The most familiar Hanukkah foods are the European (Ashkenazi) potato pancakes, or latkes, and the Israeli favorite, jelly donuts, or sufganiyot. READ: 9 Things You Didnt Know About Hanukkah. This holiday is a reminder that everyone should be allowed to practice their own faith. . This can be understood as referring to the Maccabbees resting from their fight against the Syrian Greeks on the 25th of Kislev, the Hebrew date on which Hanukkah begins. Read more from our partner sites Kveller, Hey Alma and The Nosher:The History of Hanukkah DonutsThe Fascinating History of Hanukkah Merch in America. . In this workshop, Laura Elkeslassy will teach 'Am Neemanai, a Moroccan piyut written by Rabbi David Buzaglo, as well as a traditional piyut retelling the story of Mattathias. Read this inspiring story of solidarity in standing against hate! While it is by no means a secularized holiday, Hanukkah in America does include many of the same elements as Christmas. How the festival of lights became a holiday, and how it has evolved in modern times. The . The Importance of Storytelling. Pronounced: AHSH-ken-AH-zee, Origin: Hebrew, Jews of Central and Eastern European origin. Pronounced: seh-FAR-dik, Origin: Hebrew, describing Jews descending from the Jews of Spain. But what does the word Hanukkah even mean? Mar. Get all the details on the holiday here. What Do the Letters On the Dreidel Stand For? Welcome to The Hub for online Jewish classes and events. Celebrating Hanukkah In the United States, Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is one of the most widely known Jewish holidays, even outside of the Jewish community. Pronounced: KHAH-nuh-kah, also ha-new-KAH, an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees victory over the Greeks and subsequent rededication of the temple. Be sure to check heading and document order. A Jewish priest named Mattathias was told to make a sacrifice to a pagan god in the holy temple. Not only had. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The holiday of Hanukkah, with its positive portrayal of the Jewish fighter, spoke to the reality of the early Zionists who felt particularly connected to the message of freedom and liberty. Hanukkah is also a time of joyous singing of traditional Ashkenazic and Sephardic songs, as well as more recent songs composed in the United States, Israel, and elsewhere. Make or purchase a stencil to use, cutting out the star on both construction . Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kidshanu bmitzvotav vtsivanu lhadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses. Get all the details on the holiday here. Although it is a late addition to the Jewish liturgical calendar, the eight-day festival of Hanukkah has become a beloved and joyous holiday. The newest candle is lit first. Is It OK to Use an Electric Menorah for Hanukkah? The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Hanukkah also shares the same root as the word for education chinuch in Hebrew. "The word Hanukkah means 'dedication,' and commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the Temple to the Hebrew god," National Geographic explained . The Hoffman twins, who observe Hanukkah and Christmas, offer a relatable storyline for interfaith and non-Orthodox girls. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights. Explore Hanukkahs history, global traditions, food and more withMy Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. Learn how to play this Hanukkah game with our video and written instructions. There is no consensus among Ashkenazi rabbis, and the most widespread Sephardic custom is to recite havdalah first. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The word 'Hanukkah' means 'Dedication' in Hebrew. Shammai held that all eight candles should be lit the first night, with the number decreasing by one each night thereafter. She's faced a lot of antisemitism from her old friends and I wanted to do something for her for hanukkah. Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. Light the shamash (the helper candle) first, using it to kindle the rest of the Hanukkah lights. By transforming once-kosher recipes with new flavors, shapes and techniques, chefs are innovating on, and safeguarding, time-honored breads and . We believe in the power of discovery. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Before lighting the candles (but after placing them in the menorah), it is traditional to recite three blessings on the first night and then two on every night thereafter. Hanukkah is commemorated to honor the Jewish people's retaking of the Second Temple of Jerusalem from the Greek-Syrian repressors in 164 B.C. Chocolate gelt, a candy that gets its name from the Yiddish word for money,isanotherpopular Hanukkah treat. The early date for this story or at least the practice of lighting eight candles is confirmed by the debate of the 1st-century-ce scholars Hillel and Shammai. In some homes, the head of the household lights a single menorahfor the entire family, while in others, each member of the family lights his or her own menorah. Every night with dreidels do we play, Boiling hot latkes, do we eat. Explore Hanukkahs history, global traditions, food and more with My Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had . The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication," and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple (as you'll read below). 2. The first three Hebrew letters spell out the word chanu, which means they rested. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Rededication, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. The gelt, or money for Hanukkah, supported Jewish learning. Getting ready to celebrate Hanukkah? Your guide to lighting the candles and more. When is Hanukkah 2023? All Rights Reserved, Download a printable PDF of the Hanukkah candle blessings here. Although the seemingly miraculous victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks was certainly part of the holiday narrative, this event still lies within the natural human realm. It's also the name of up-and-coming Israeli supermodel Eden Polani. Be sure to check heading and document order. Mon. Interfaith families struggle to be true to the religions of both parents during the winter holiday season. Where to find recordings and lyrics for classic (and modern) Hanukkah songs. Mar 4, 2023, 2:24 PM . The ancient rabbis felt it was important to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah. Hanukkah gained new meaning with the rise of Zionism. Your cheat sheet for when Hanukkah is just hours away. It's the setting for the creation story in Genesis aka the temporary home of Adam and Eve. Each night, another candle is added so that on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles (the shamash plus eight others) are lit. All Rights Reserved, 8 Hanukkah Traditions From Around the World, December Holiday Tips for Interfaith Parents, Al Hanisim: A Holiday Prayer of Thanks for Everyday Miracles, The 15 Best Hanukkah Pet Pictures on Instagram. Time: 12:00 pm EDT. The Maccabean revolt and the miracle of the oil. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Since Hanukkah is not biblically ordained, the liturgy for the holiday is not well developed. Todd discovers a magical friend (um, God), who teaches him how to light the Hanukkah candles. Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hanukkah came to be widely celebrated and remains one of the most popular Jewish religious observances. Essentials. Cooking and Food. The story of how Hanukkah came to be is contained in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are not part of the Jewish canon of the Hebrew Bible. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion. In commemoration of the legendary cruse of oil, it is traditional to eat foods fried in oil. Key vocabulary for the Jewish Festival of Lights. Meet Seth Stern, author of the new book, Speaking Yiddish to Chickens, and learn the fascinating story of the Holocaust survivors who found refuge on New Jersey poultry farms. What Are the Symbols of Hanukkah and What Do They Mean?Why Hanukkah Is Actually a Minor HolidayMust-Know Hanukkah Words and PhrasesHow to Greet Someone on HanukkahWhat to Write in a Hanukkah CardIs It OK to Use an Electric Menorah for Hanukkah?What Is the Shamash Candle for Hanukkah?How Is Hanukkah Celebrated in Israel?What Do the Letters On the Dreidel Stand For?These Hanukkah Images Are Free To Download, The 21 Best Hanukkah Episodes on TVThe History of Hanukkah DonutsEid Al Bnat: a Jewish Hanukkah Tradition for Women9 Hanukkah Books for Kids of All Ages12 Fun and Easy Ways to Make Your Own Menorah. Lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden, download a printable PDF of the Hanukkah candle blessings, My Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series, Hanukkah: How To Celebrate The Festival of Lights. Many Hanukkah foods are deep-fried in oil, symbolizing the oil from the menorah used in the Temple. Since Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, the holiday will inevitably overlap with Shabbat at least once. ", My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help, The Hebrew word Hanukkah literally means dedication. (In modern Hebrew, a hanukkat habayit refers to a ceremony or gathering held to mark the dedication of a new home or, a housewarming party.). In 2023, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7 and lasts until sundown on Friday, Dec. 15. Download a printable PDF of the Hanukkah candle blessings here. Get all the details on the holiday here. - Jewish Religious Festival of Lights Explained Behind the News 133K subscribers Subscribe 41K views 2 years ago At the end of every year, Jewish people around the world. To complete the ritual on all eight nights with one menorah, you will need a total of 44 candles per menorah. Sign up to take a journey through Hanukkah and go deeper into the Festival of Lights. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45. The practice is enshrined in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), which describes the miracle of the oil in the Temple. The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, were enslaved in Egypt for centuries before Moses led them to freedom. Hillel and his school taught that one candle should be lit on the first night of Hanukkah and one more each night of the festival. Mar. Thank you for subscribing to emails from ReformJudaism.org! How to Celebrate Hanukkah At Home | My Jewish Learning Submit Source: Wikimedia Commons/Flikr Bot Email Sign Up Some areas of this page may shift around if you resize the browser window. Together with the Gemara, it makes up the Talmud. A sacred obligation. Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season. Cost: $18. This event was observed in an eight-day celebration, which was patterned on Sukkot, the autumn festival of huts. With, Temple Emanu-El Author Series: Margarita Gokun Silver, I Named My Dog Pushkin, Jewish Languages Today: Endangered, Surviving, and Thriving, Jewish Languages: From Aramaic to Yiddish. (PikiWiki Israel) Email Sign Up Some areas of this page may shift around if you resize the browser window. Legend says that when a leader outlawed Judaism back then, a group. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (just as Hebrew is written from right to left), but are lit from left to right. The Talmud relates this stories in the context of a discussion about the fact that fasting and grieving are not allowed on Hanukkah. Your menorah should have eight spots for candles one for each night and an extra ninth spot that is at a different elevation. Click here for the text of the blessings. However, the Mishnah does not give us any details concerning the rules and customs associated with the holiday. The candles, lit after sunset, are traditionally supposed to burn at least one-half hour after nightfall. Spin the Dreidel Game. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Sign up to take a journey through Hanukkah and go deeper into the Festival of Lights. These lights, which can either be candles or tiny oil cups with floating wicks, grow in strength during the eight days of Hanukkah, with the addition of one candle or lighted wick each night. According to I Maccabees, a text of the Apocrypha (writings excluded from the Jewish canon but included in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Old Testament canons), Antiochus had invaded Judaea, tried to Hellenize the Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. They cleansed it and rededicated it to Israels God. MyJewishLearning.com is the premiere website for all things Jewish: history, holidays, and culture; quizzes, recipes and more, at www.myjewishlearning.com 161,698 people like this 168,721 people follow this http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ community@myjewishlearning.com Nonprofit Organization Privacy Policy Photos See all Videos See all 48:42 With the proximity of Christmas, Hanukkah has emerged in the United States as a central gift-giving time for Jews, although in Europe the tradition had been to give children only raisins, nuts, and small amounts of Hanukkah gelt (money). Also this is JewBelong's first billboard in Spanish. The defining act of Hanukkah is to kindle the lights of the hanukkiyah, the eight-branched candelabrum (commonly referred to as the Hanukkah menorah). Hanukkah (Chanukah), the Festival of Lights, begins Thursday evening, December 7, 2023.It celebrates the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greek regime of Antiochus. Corrections? Please check your inbox for our emails, and to manage your subscription. Explore the history of Hanukkah fashion, take a Jewish tour of Greece, learn Moroccan piyutim and more! Both Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent) and Sephardic Jews (Jews of Spanish or Mediterranean descent) recite two blessings each night, which affirm the commandment to kindle the Hanukkah lights and recall the Hanukkah miracle. Be sure to check heading and document order. Like Passover, Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. In 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18 and lasts until sundown on Monday, Dec. 26. Today we were lucky enough to be on the right side." St. Louis native and free agent Michael Wielansky, a 2015 Ladue high grad who was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2018, got his first taste of the WBC in the 7th inning when he took the field at Shortstop. Hannukah is a minor Jewish national holiday celebrating the Hasmonean liberation of Jerusalem and the Temple from the Seleucid Empire in 164BC. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: anukka, Chanukah, Chanukkah, Feast of Dedication, Feast of the Maccabees, Festival of Lights. Mar. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Light the shamash (the helper candle) first, using it to kindle the rest of the Hanukkah lights. Sign up to take a journey through Hanukkah and go deeper into the Festival of Lights. On Hanukkah every night we add an additional candle. Jewish law prohibits work for one hour after candle lighting. In the Diaspora, four Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hey, and shin adorn the sides of the dreidel; they represent the words nes gadol hayah sham, meaning a great miracle happened there. In Israel, the last letter is changed to a peh, representing the word po, here, with the resulting declaration, a great miracle happened here.. Make an oil lamp craft to explain the Hanukkah lamp story. A favorite Hanukkah activity is a gambling game played with a four-sided spinning top known in Yiddish as a dreidel (sevivon in Hebrew). Specially made for little hands, this hard-wearing board book has a soft padded cover and safe rounded corners. It is actually a quite minor festival. Jewish Life. In spite of the human action that is commemorated, never far from the surface is the theology that the liberation was possible only thanks to the miraculous support of the Divine. An additional blessing said on the first night of most Jewish festivals, the Shehechiyanu, thanks God for enabling one to be alive for the celebration. Click here to download a printable PDF of the Hanukkah candle blessings. Learning CHANUKAH BLESSINGS VIDEOMy Jewish Learning Hanukkah for Families Article Music Maoz Tzur and Mi Yimalel (Hebrew) Al Ha Nissim Sivivon Mi Yimalel Chanukah oh Chanukah Dreidel Song Ocho Kandelikas Laura Berkner Band Candle Chase My Dreidel is Blue by Music Box Kids Dance Al Ha Nissim Dance Chanukah by Six13 Chanukah Dance Mash-Up Sufganiot Dance Challenge The Hanukkah Dance 2020 YouTube . Parshah (Weekly Torah) Daily Study. We cannot forget what has happened to us because we must share it with future generations. Pronounced: KHAH-nuh-kah, also ha-new-KAH, an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees victory over the Greeks and subsequent rededication of the temple. Add to. The newest candle is lit first. Following the Jewish victory in a three-year struggle against Antiochus, Judas ordered the cleansing and restoration of the Temple. In 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18 and lasts until sundown on Monday, Dec. 26. The Maccabees, having waged a three-year battle against the Syrian Greeks, managed to oust them from Jerusalem and reclaim the temple, which the Syrians had defiled. The Hebrew word Hanukkah literally means "dedication." (In modern Hebrew, a hanukkat habayit refers to a ceremony or gathering held to mark the dedication of a new home or, a housewarming party.). Be sure to check heading and document order. The dreidel game is a classic Hanukkah tradition. , commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. (From MyJewishLearning.com) Falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days. Pronounced: TALL-mud, Origin: Hebrew, the set of teachings and commentaries on the Torah that form the basis for Jewish law. Explore Hanukkahs history, global traditions, food and more with My Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series. Many families follow candle lighting with traditional Hanukkah songs, playing dreidel, eating gelt or sufganiyot or latkes, or opening gifts. What Are the Symbols of Hanukkah and What Do They Mean? Pronounced: PUR-im, the Feast of Lots, Origin: Hebrew, a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre during the Persian period. Hanukkah, also referred to as Chanukah, celebrates the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem." The holiday is celebrated over the course of eight nights and includes ceremonial menorah lighting, prayers, traditional foods, games, and the exchange of gifts. With the temple cleansed, the Maccabees rekindled the temple menorah and again offered sacrifices to God. Free. Learn how to play this Hanukkah game with our video and written instructions. Literally, my master; the Jewish proper name for God;Yud Heh Vav Hey, the unpronounceable name of God often is pronounced as Adonai.. Session Date: Tuesday, 12.12.2023Session Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm The rebellion started in 167BC following an attempt by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV to ban Judaism, and was led by the Hasmonean prisetly family - Yehuda Hamacabi and his 4 brothers. The Yiddish "Oy Chanukah, Oy Channukah!" is a traditional holiday song that chronicles all the fun and delicious activities that take place during the eight nights of Hanukkah, including making. Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is the eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. But a small band of the devout, led by the Matitiyahu the Priest and his son Judah Maccabee, led a successful rebellion .