A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT HANUKKAH
The hanukkiyah
A menorah is any size-or-shape candelabra. But a hanukkiyah is specifically used on the holiday of Hanukkah. It is the preferred Hebrew term for the ritual object that plays a central role in our celebration of this holiday. That said, one may also say, “Hanukkah menorah” and be correct.
Note that according to Jewish law, all candle or oil holders should be the same height, other than the shammash (the “helping light” by which others are lit), which is higher. Many modern hanukkiyot have holders of different heights; they are enjoyed by Jews who do not feel themselves bound by Jewish law. Unlike the Shabbat candles, the Hanukkah candles are meant to be enjoyed; no work is accomplished by their glow. This is the reason that the shammash is above the others - if, by accident, a person reads, cooks, or works by the hanukkiyah’s illumination, the “helping candle” is the one that offers the light, not the eight candles by which the holiday is observed. Click on this link to learn more about the difference between a menorah and a hanukkiyah. View this video to see a bazillion (well, maybe not quite that many) different kinds of hanukkiyot. |
Lighting the hanukkiyah
Because of the central role that light played in the holiday, there are many regulations concerning the lighting of the hanukkiyah. On the first night, one light is lit (with the assistance of the shamash or helper light). On the second night, two lights are lit, and so on until the eighth night when eight (plus one) lights are lit. The new candles are placed on the right side of the hanukkiyah as one faces it – each night, the new light is placed to the left of the previous ones and this, the newest candle, is the first one lit.
Click on this link to see how the candles are placed in and lit each night. Need a way to remember that the new candles are lit left to right? Check out this video. Click on this link to hear the blessings recited when lighting the hanukkiyah. As the blessings are sung (slowly and clearly) you will see the words in English transliteration, as well as Hebrew. |
Publicizing the miracle
The most prominent ritual of the holiday is pirsum ha-nes; publicizing the miracle. Whether referring to the miracle of the oil or of the military victory, lighting the hanukkiyah is the traditional vehicle for publicizing it. The Talmud suggests placing the Hanukkah lights in a prominent location to let the world know about the miracle of the holiday.
To fulfill the Jewish value of pirsum ha-nes, some people display their hanukkiyah outside. Others place the hanukkiyah in a window that faces the street. Because of that tradition (or perhaps in contrast to Christmas ornaments popping up around the same time), decorating one’s house for Hanukkah has become quite popular. For many, it has become a way to say “I am proud of being Jewish” in a season when it may feel overwhelming not to be one of the masses. |
Cooking in oil
Because of the story of the miracle of the oil, traditional Hanukkah food is cooked in oil. Latkes, or potato pancakes, are part of the Eastern European heritage. [The word, latke, is Yiddish; the Hebrew word for pancakes is l’vivot.] In Israel, however, a round donut with jelly filling is the most popular Hanukkah food – this is called a sufganiyah; plural is sufganiyot.
Keep scrolling and scrolling on this linked page for lots and lots of Hanukkah oil-based recipes. |
The dreidel
It is said that when Jews at the time of Antiochus studied Judaism, they put a sentry at the door who signaled them if the enemy approached. They quickly hid their sacred texts (which were on scrolls) and pretended they were engaged in a game of gambling that used a small top. And thus, the dreidel is connected to Hanukkah lore!
The word, dreidel, is Yiddish. In Hebrew, the spinning top is called a s’vivon. The four Hebrew letters on the dreidel נ ג ה ש each represent one word of the phrase, nes gadol hayah sham (“a great miracle happened there” – referring to “in Israel”). The dreidels made in Israel do not have the letter ש which corresponds to the Hebrew word for “there.” Instead, the final letter is a פ for the Hebrew word poh meaning “here,” which is where the fight by the Maccabees occurred, i.e., in Israel. |
Want to know more?
AND click here for the "My Jewish Learning" webpage with LOTS of links to great articles and information on Hanukkah!
There are many fun Hanukkah music videos on the internet. We are happy to share these with you: Light up the Night (Fountainheads) Latke Recipe (Maccabeats) A Hamilton Hanukkah (Maccabeats) |
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC)
www.jecc.org
www.jecc.org