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SFPNN Special Edition – 12/07/07 – Hanukkah Traditions

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— Thanks to Frieda of Jerusalem for today's Special Edition

HANUKKAH traditions

Hanukkah is the celebration of the spiritual survival of the Jewish people against many trials and tribulations, including those who sought to prevent these beautiful people from practicing their religion.

In the year 167 BCE, Antiochus, the Syrian-Geek emperor tried to destroy Judaism by banning three of its most important practices called “Mitzvos.” These Mitzvos included Shaboos, Sanctifying the New Month and Bris Mila.

Shabbos recognizes that G-d created and sustains the Universe. G-d gave the Jewish people His Torah to guide them in His values and to explain all of Creation. Sanctifying the New Month establishes the first day of the month by a witnesses’ testimony of the new moon. It is through this sanctification the dates of the Jewish holidays are determined. Bris Mila is a sign of one’s special unique covenant with the Al-mighty by entering the Covenant of Abraham through a special Torah-ordained circumcision.

These three practices were seen as threats to the Greek culture because they maintained and enforced Judaism.

Matisyahu ben Yochanon Kohain Gadol and his five sons, known as the Maccabees, started a revolt against the Greeks. Three years later, with the help of Yehudis, the daughter of the Kohain Gado, they succeeded in evicting their mighty oppressors. Yehudis fed cheese to her oppressor and then miraculously overcame him!

For this reason, it is customary for all to eat dairy dishes during Hanukkah and women do not work (do melacha) while Hanukkah candles are burning.

Having regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish people wanted to immediately rededicate it. They needed eight days’ worth of ritually pure olive oil to re-light the Menorah in the Temple but only one single cruse of oil was found; enough to burn for just one day. An open miracle occurred and that one container of oil burned for eight days!

This is why we light lamps with oil or burn Hanukkah candles for eight days. In addition to eating dairy products to celebrate victory, it is customary to eat foods fried in oil in honor of the miracle of the temple oil. Traditional foods include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (deep-fried jelly donuts).

The dreidel is also part of the Hanukkah celebration. During times when practicing Judaism was banned, the Jewish people had such strong devotion that they continued to learn the Torah despite it being forbidden. Should enemy soldiers come to investigate, the people would pull out their dreidel and pretend they were gambling!

On all eight days of Chanukah, complete Hallel is recited. Al Hanisim is inserted in shmoneh esrei and bircas hamazon.

Depending on which tradition is practiced, either everyone in the family lights their own menorah, or there is just one menorah per family. In a home where everyone has their own menorah, the husband lights the wife’s menorah for her.

On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle plus the shamash is lit. For each addition evening of Hanukkah one additional candle will be lit.

The candles in the menorah should be in a straight horizontal line. However, the shamash may not be in a straight line with the rest of the candles. The Menorah is placed in the window and the candles are placed to our right. The newest candle is lit first. The lighting of the candles is timed in accordance with sunset.

As with any tradition, it is the meaning behind it and the love we add to it which makes it special. When we live life with reverence, it truly takes on a feeling of sacredness and creates a sense of a “holy-day.”

Happy Hanukkah!

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