What is Hanukkah?
The Talmud tells us that beginning with the 25th of Kislev, eight
days of Hanukkah are observed, during which no eulogies are delivered,
nor is fasting permitted. For when the Greeks entered the Sanctuary,
they defiled all the oils, and when the Hasmoneans (the Maccabees)
defeated them, they searched and found only one remaining jar
of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (the High Priest). Although
it contained only enough oil to burn for one day, a miracle occurred,
and the oil burned eight days. A year later the Rabbis designated
these days as Yomim Tovim (Holidays) on which praise and thanksgiving
were to be said. (Tractate Shabbat 21)
The Greek's Harsh Decrees:
During the Second Temple period, the Greek kings outlawed the
Jewish religion, forbade them to engage in the study of Torah
and the practice of mitzvot, and ravaged and defiled all that
had been ritually pure. The Hasmoneans were finally able to subdue
the enemy, whereby they designated a king to rule over Israel
which lasted for more than 200 years. The Sages of that generation
therefore decreed, that the eight days beginning with the 25th
of Kislev should be days of rejoicing; that Hallel (praise) be
recited and that lights be lit in the entrance to their homes
each of the eight nights, in order to publicize the miracle. These
days were called Hanukkah, that is to say Chanu Kaf-Hay (they
rested on the 25th), for on the 25th, they rested from their enemies.
The above expression of the Talmud: "They made it a Yom Tov for
praise and thanksgiving" refers to the literal recitation of Hallel
(praise) and therefore, the complete Hallel is said during schararit
(morning prayers) all eight days of Hanukkah. The term "thanksgiving"
refers to al hanisim, which is included in each shmoneh esreh
(silent meditation, amidah) during these days as well, as well
as in birkat hamazon (grace after meals).
What may one use to light the Hanukkah candles?
The preferred way to perform the mitzvah is to light the Hanukkah
menorah with pure olive oil and cotton wicks, since their light
is pure and it causes us to remember the light of the Menorah
which was lit with olive oil. All other oils and wicks are permissible
if their light is pure and does not flicker. One may also use
candles made of wax. One must be careful and make sure the lights
stay lit for about a half an hour or as long as people coming
home from the marketplace would be able to see them. If one is
using wax candles specifically, it is a good idea to put them
in the freezer before use since it lengthens their burning time.
The menorah itself should be pretty and can be made of metal or
glass. An earthenware holder is permissible but may only be used
once while it is still new. After one usage it becomes unclean
and may not be used for the next night. A wick which was used
one night may be used on succeeding nights as well. The same is
true of the remaining oil or of the remainder of wax candles.
If one is lighting with oil, one way to save on the mess and expense
of using many cotton wicks is to pull the part of the wick that
is black up from the holder and continue to use the rest of the
wick and continue this for many succeeding nights until the wick
becomes very small.
One must also be careful with the menorah that one chooses. There
are many menorah's on the market that although aesthetically beautiful,
are not permitted to be used. For example, the eight candles of
the menorah must be in a straight line with the shamash a little
bit above them. Any menorah which is fancily shaped in a circle
or square... is not permitted to be used since the candles must
be in a straight line and none may be higher or lower than the
others. There must also be enough space between one candle and
another so that the flames of each are not intermingled.
How does one light the lights?
On the first night of Hanukkah, one light is lit and on each successive
night another light is added until the eighth night when all the
lights are lit. When one lights on the first night, one lights
the one on the extreme right. The following night he adds the
one immediately to the left and kindles it first. He then turns
to the right and kindles the light of the previous night. He follows
the same procedure each night always adding from right to left
but always lighting from left to right. The reason for this procedure
is that the additional light recalls the greatness and growth
of the miracle.
On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited before
the lights are kindled:(1) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu melech
ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel
Hanukkah." (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe,
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded
us to light the Hanukkah lights.) (2) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu
melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avotenu, bayamim hahem bazeman
hazeh." (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe,
Who has doen miracles for our fathers in days gone by, at this
time.) (3) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu,
vekiyemanu vehigi'anu lazeman hazeh." (Blessed are You, L-rd our
G-d, King of the Universe, Who has given us life, and has sustained
us, and has brought us to this time.) After one makes these three
blessings, he kindles the light. On the remaining nights, one
only recites the first two blessings and does not say "shecheyanu."
If one was prevented from lighting the candles on the first night
or forgot to say shecheyanu, he may say it the next time he kindles
the lights.
There is also a custom of using an extra candle, the shamash to
light the other candles. The shamash may only be used for lighting
the other candles and one may derive benefit from its light. The
Hanukkah lights themselves, however, may not be used for any other
purpose while they are burning for the purpose of the mitzvah.
One should preferably have other lights on in the house in order
that one does not run into this problem.
After the first light is kindled, "hanerot halalu" is said and
the rest of the lights can now be lit. After the lights have been
kindled, Hanukkah songs are sung and foods containing oil, such
as jelly donuts are eaten. Every custom according to the place
in which one lives!
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