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Message Area
Tehillim/Prayer

Chanukah

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#1 of 6

     Posted 11/29/04 2:34 PM   
Giora Shimoni [Wizop]
 
From  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]  Posts 128  Last 6/8/09
To  All      [Msg # 187609.1 ]    

HAPPY CHANUKAH

 "And  Judah and his brethren and the whole congregation of Israel ordained,  that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their  seasons year by year, for eight days, from the twenty-fifth of the  month Kislev, with gladness and joy" (First Book of Maccabees, 4:59)      

Chanukah  is celebrated by lighting the Chanukah menorah, eating special foods,  playing a dreidel game, giving gifts, and having parties with families  and friends.


Lights

We light Chanukah candles to remember the miracle of the oil that burnt for eight days and the miracle  of the Maccabees victory which represents our struggle for religious  freedom. All members of the family should gather around the Chanukah  Menorah each night of Chanukah to light the candles. Before lighting  the candles, we say special blessings. The Chanukah Menorah should sit  in a front window or by a doorway for all to see.

           

Foods

It  is customary to eat food fried in oil to remember the miracle of the  oil. Latkas (potato pancakes) and soofganiot (jelly donuts) are the  most traditional Chanukah treats. Some people eat dairy food on  Chanukah in memory of the Jewish heroine Judith.

          

Games

Dreidel  is the most traditional game played on Chanukah. The dreidel goes back  to the time of the Syrians. The Syrians prohibited the Jews from  studying Torah. When the Syrians saw a group of Jews together, they  checked to see that they were not studying. The Jews would hide their  books and take out their dreidels and trick the Syrians into thinking  they were just playing a game. For more information on playing dreidel.

Gifts

The  word Chanukah has the same core as the word "Chinuch" which means  education in Hebrew. In past generations, Chanukah gelt was money given  as rewards to children for learning well. Children were often tested in  their knowledge of the Story of Chanukah . Given that Chanukah is  celebrated about the same time of year as Christmas, many Jews have  expanded the gelt giving tradition to a gift giving tradition.

     

Parties

Chanukah  is a nice excuse to invite over family and friends. Lighting candles  together and eating special Chanukah food is a way to create memories  with loved ones. Playing dreidel is fun for everyone from Bubby and  Zaydie to the grandchildren.



     

 

   
Edited 12/7/08   by  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]

Edited 12/7/08   by  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]

Edited 12/7/08   by  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]

Edited 12/7/08   by  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]
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#2 of 6

     Posted 12/12/08 12:51 AM   
Saychel
 
From  Saychel  Posts 39  Last 3/21/09
To  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]      [Msg # 187609.2 Message 187609.2 replying to 187609.1 187609.1 ]    
Happy Chanukah to you too. I do have a question. The image of menorah on Forum Start Page is very nice but shouldn't it have a shamash?
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#3 of 6

     Posted 12/14/08 7:25 AM   
Giora Shimoni [Wizop]
 
From  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]  Posts 128  Last 6/8/09
To  Saychel      [Msg # 187609.3 Message 187609.3 replying to 187609.2 187609.2 ]    
That's a good remark. We use the shamash because we are not supposed to use the Chanuka lights for any other purposes. However you do not have  to have a shamash if you have another source of light.
Chanuka Sameach
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#4 of 6

     Posted 12/14/08 8:45 AM   
Saychel
 
From  Saychel  Posts 39  Last 3/21/09
To  Giora Shimoni [Wizop]      [Msg # 187609.4 Message 187609.4 replying to 187609.3 187609.3 ]    (Unread)
>>However you do not have  to have a shamash if you have another source of light.
Chanuka Sameach<<

Thank you. I appreciate the explanation. Is it considered sacriligeous to use an electric menorah?
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#5 of 6

     Posted 12/14/08 9:47 AM   
Chaya
 
From  Chaya  Posts 2518  Last Jan-4
To  Saychel      [Msg # 187609.5 Message 187609.5 replying to 187609.4 187609.4 ]    

Is it considered sacriligeous to use an electric menorah?
>>>>

It simply does not fulfill the requirements of the mitzvah.  Many use an oil menorah(or candles) and also put electric menorahs in other windows to have lights all night.

We only use oil.

Chaya
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#6 of 6

     Posted 12/14/08 10:20 AM   
Saychel
 
From  Saychel  Posts 39  Last 3/21/09
To  Chaya      [Msg # 187609.6 Message 187609.6 replying to 187609.5 187609.5 ]    
>>Many use an oil menorah(or candles) and also put electric menorahs in other windows to have lights all night.<<

That's what we do.
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Tehillim/Prayer

Chanukah

  
 
     

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