Chanukah-What are we celebrating?
Every holiday is commemorated with its unique Mitzvot, traditions and customs that reflect the nature of the miracle or event that occurred.
For example, on Passover we conduct a Seder, eat Matzah, bitter herbs and drink four cups of wine to relive and recount the story of the slavery and ultimate redemption of our ancestors from Egypt many years ago.
On Purim, we celebrate the victory over the wicked Haman who wished to physically destroy the Jewish people. Therefore, we commemorate the event by uniting and assisting one another physically through gifts of food, charity, and enjoying a celebratory meal together.
The story of Chanukah occurred in the second century BCE. The Holy Land was ruled by the Syrian-Greeks, who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of Mitzvah observance and belief in G‑d. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, 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 G‑d.
When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.
The Talmud refers to the story of Chanukah and asks, “What is Chanukah (i.e. what miracle are we commemorating), and why are lights kindled on Chanukah?” The Talmud answers: “On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of Hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.”
Interestingly, the Talmud makes no mention of the actual victory of the war but rather focuses on the miracle of oil that occurred. The Sages, as well, instituted the Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah each night of Chanukah and the customs of eating oily foods while only making a minor reference to the miracle of winning the war by including mention of it during our prayers. Wouldn't it be more fitting to put a greater emphasis on the miracle that our lives were saved as opposed to the miracle of the Menorah which happened afterwards?
To understand this phenomenon, we need to recognize the true nature of the war against the Greeks. The Greeks worshipped the human mind, academic and athletic achievements, and materialism above all else. They saw in the Jewish people a threat and declaration against their philosophy. The Jewish people reminded them of the need to live for a higher purpose, to transform this world into a home for G-d.
The Greeks had no issue with Jewish culture per se or the study of Torah viewed as a brilliant intellectual book of wisdom. However, they endeavored to make the Jewish people forget that it was G-d’s Torah and Mitzvot. They challenged the supranational aspects of Judaism that didn't make any sense to the limited human mind.
It is for that reason that the Greeks specifically defiled all the oil in the Temple. They were sending a message to the Jewish people that purity and impurity was not a rational concept and therefore shouldn’t be observed. They had no problem with the lighting of the Menorah, they only insisted that it could be lit just the same with impure oil.
Therefore, we commemorate the miracle that, despite all odds, the Maccabees were able to discover a small cruse of pure oil that had remained untouched by the Greeks. Although it seemed that there was only enough oil to last for one day, a miracle occurred and it lit for eight days.
Every individual has his or her “one cruse of oil,” begging to be discovered. A person may not uncover this internal connection to G‑d in the ordinary circumstances of his life. But when challenged, as in the case of the Maccabees, this inner connection will surface. And when this divine bond comes to the fore, “[G‑d will] deliver the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few,” for nothing can withstand its power.
In their struggle against the Greeks, the Maccabees tapped this resource - this single cruse of oil, revealing a level of soul that transcended their usual limits. In response, G‑d revealed miracles that transcended the natural limits of this world.
The Chanukah miracle which followed serves as an eternal testimony to the essential connection to G‑d that the Greeks sought to sever. In our day as well, the Chanukah lights remind us that through an appreciation of the infinite G‑dly, dimension of the Torah and its commandments, we can kindle the potential for light we all possess within our souls.
The Chanukah battle and victory were immortalized by the Sages. The candles evoke the memory of the small group of Jews who fought those who had opposed the Torah & Mitzvot. Today, we each battle our own evil inclination as well. Our victories, as well, will be eternally remembered. Our current mission and battle is for the coming of Moshiach when our inner flames will truly shine for eternity.
Please see below for a brief overview of lighting the Menorah:
When:
The Chanukah menorah (also known as a Hanukkiah) is lit around nightfall each of the eight nights of Chanukah. Every night, another candle is added, so that on the eighth night all eight candles (plus one helper) are burning bright. The Maccabees chased away the forces of darkness with swords; we do it with light.
Who:
Men and women alike are obligated to participate in the menorah lighting. In some families, the head of the household lights the family menorah while everyone else listens to the blessings and answers, "Amen." In many other families, all members of the household, including children, light their own menorahs. Either way, it is important for everyone to be present and involved when the Chanukah miracle is festively commemorated.
Where:
Light the menorah in your own home. There are two preferred locations for the menorah.
1. You can set up the menorah in a central doorway. Place it on a chair or small table near the doorpost that is opposite the mezuzah. This way, when you pass through the doorway, you are surrounded by two Mitzvot - the Mezuzah and the Menorah. Ideally, the menorah lights should be between 12 and 40 inches off the ground.
2. Or you can set up your menorah on a windowsill facing the street. This option should only be exercised if the window is less than thirty feet above ground-level.
Lighting the Menorah:
1. Arrange the lights on the menorah. Ensure that there is enough oil, or that the candles are big enough, for the lights to burn until half an hour after nightfall (or, if lighting after nightfall, for one half hour). 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.
2. Gather everyone in the house around the menorah.
3. Light the Shamash candle. Then hold it in your right hand (unless you are left-handed).
4. While standing, recite the appropriate blessings.
5. Light the candles. Each night, light the newest (left-most) candle first and continue lighting from left to right. (We add lights to the menorah from right to left, while we light from left to right.)
Blessings:
First blessing:
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה
Transliterated: Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr kha-noo-kah
Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Second blessing:
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Transliterated: Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-ah-sah nee-sim lah-ah-voh-tay-noo bah-yah-mim hah-haym biz-mahn hah-zeh
Translated: Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
Third blessing, recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Chanukah):
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Transliterated: Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh
Translated: Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, 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 such as Haneirot Halalu and/or Maoz Tzur.
Linger around the menorah for about half an hour (aside for Friday afternoon, when Shabbat preparations are in full gear). Share some Chanukah stories with your family, enjoy a Draidel game and indulge in some traditional hot Latkes (fried potato pancakes) or Sufganiot (fried donuts)!
For the first half hour after the candles are lit (or until half an hour after nightfall, if the menorah was lit before dark) the menorah should not be transferred from its place. If a flame dies out during this time, it is best to relight it. After this time, the menorah can be moved if necessary, and there's no need to rekindle extinguished flames.
Many women refrain from performing household chores during the first half hour that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a significant role in the Chanukah victory.
