Hanukkah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over contamination, of spirituality over materialism. Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of the Dedication. We celebrate Hanukkah ‑ the festival of lights ‑ for 8 days commencing on the eve of Kislev, 25.
It was during a feast of dedication that Jesus explained that he was the Christ.
- John 10:22-25 KJV, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.”
As we can also see, Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Dedication. The candles of the Menorah are symbolic of Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Remember that ordinarily they used oil lamps. Oil is used in anointing. When the disciples first received the Holy Ghost, they saw cloven tongues of fire. Jesus is the light of the world. People are supposed to see the light of Jesus through us always just as the lamp in the temple was supposed to burn perpetually.
Over 2100 years ago, the Land of Israel was dominated by the (Syrian‑Greeks), who sought to Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews 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 God. This group became known as the Maccabees. It took them some time to drive the Greeks from the land. The temple was trampled and desecrated before they were successful. This was just as Daniel predicted in Daniel 8:9-14 (KJV),
- “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down. And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which speak, how long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
Hoping to light the Temple’s menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, this one‑day supply burned 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 Hanukkah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Hanukkah, when all eight lights are kindled.
A special Hanukkah prayer, Al HaNissim, offers praise and thanksgiving to God for “delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few… the wicked into the hands of the righteous.”
Hanukkah customs include eating foods fried in oil ‑‑ latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts); playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, “a great miracle happened there”); and the giving of Chanukah gelt (gifts of money) to children.
When buying a Menorah please remember that it is to be used for 8 nights straight. Since, an inexpensive Menorah does not hold up well; buy a good one even if it cost a little bit more money.
The Menorah
Menorah lighting was instituted in order to announce to the entire world that God makes miracles for those who stand up for truth and justice. The Hanukkah lights can either be candle flames or oil‑fueled. The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line. The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to one‑and‑a‑half hours on Friday evening.
The Shamash ‑ the “attendant” candle that is used to kindle the other lights ‑ sits a bit higher or lower than the other candles, on the ninth branch of the menorah. Men and women alike are obligated to participate in the menorah lighting.
You can set up the menorah in a central doorway or on a windowsill facing the street.
On Friday night, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday night, it is lit after nightfall.
Instructions for Lighting the Menorah
- Arrange the lights on the menorah. On the first night, set one candle to the far right of the menorah. On the following night, add a second light to the left of the first one, and then add one light each night of Chanukah ‑ moving from right to left.
- Gather everyone in the house around the menorah.
- Light the Shamash candle. Then hold it in your right hand (unless you are left‑handed).
- While standing, recite the appropriate blessings.
- Light the candles. Each night, light the newest (left‑most) candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
The Blessings
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
If the first night of Chanukah falls on Sunday night, add the following blessing:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
After you finish kindling the menorah lights, place the Shamash candle in its designated place on the menorah. At this point it is traditional to sing Chanukah hymns.
Hanukkah Foods
Since oil played a significant role in the Chanukah story, it is traditional to enjoy oily foods on this holiday. Among the most popular are potato latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (deep‑fried doughnuts).
Hanukkah Songs
Dreidel Song
By Chayim B. Alevsky
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready
Oh dreidel, I shall play
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made you out of clay
And when you’re dry and ready
Oh Dreidel we shall play
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made you out of wood
And when you are all ready
I’ll play you when I could
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made you out of glass
And when you are all ready
I’ll play you on the grass
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made you out of gold
And when you are all ready
I’ll play you in the cold
Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let’s have a party
We’ll all dance the hora
Gather ‘round the table
We’ll give you a treat
Sivivon to play with and latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago.
O Hanukkah
by: C.J. Pizarro
Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
A time to remember.
A joyful, jolly holiday
that comes in December
Every day for eight days, dreidels will spin
Crispy little latkes, tasty and thin.
And nightly, so brightly,
the candles of Chanukah glow.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light,
to remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light,
to remind us of days long ago.
articlesforchristians 