As we gear up for the holiday season, I can anticipate the many threads we’ll have on the subject of Christmas and presents and all that good stuff. Well, since I don’t celebrate Christmas, I figured I’d tell you about what I do celebrate—Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights, The Festival of Rededication! This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 15 (that's tomorrow at sundown!)
I’m going to post for each day and tell you a little bit about Hanukkah. However, since Hanukkah begins on a Shabbat this year, I’m going to do the first two days now, since I won’t be able to tomorrow (I work, and then Shabbat starts at the sundown, so I won't get on the computer).
The First Day of Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, and the Miracle of the Oil. At the rededication of the Temple, there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the eternal flame in the Temple going for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the time it took to press and consecrate new olive oil.
On the first day of Hanukkah, a candle is placed at the far right of the menorah, and then lit with the center candle (called a shamash). This is done before sunset, and blessings are said before lighting the candles.
There are three blessings (called brachot) said on the first night, but only the first two are said on all the nights afterwards.
The first one is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe; You make us holy with Your mitzvot, and command us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
The second one is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe; You showed wonders to our fathers/mothers in this season in days of old.
The third blessing is only said on the first night, and it is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us and for enabling us to reach this season.
I’m going to post for each day and tell you a little bit about Hanukkah. However, since Hanukkah begins on a Shabbat this year, I’m going to do the first two days now, since I won’t be able to tomorrow (I work, and then Shabbat starts at the sundown, so I won't get on the computer).
The First Day of Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, and the Miracle of the Oil. At the rededication of the Temple, there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the eternal flame in the Temple going for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the time it took to press and consecrate new olive oil.
On the first day of Hanukkah, a candle is placed at the far right of the menorah, and then lit with the center candle (called a shamash). This is done before sunset, and blessings are said before lighting the candles.
There are three blessings (called brachot) said on the first night, but only the first two are said on all the nights afterwards.
The first one is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe; You make us holy with Your mitzvot, and command us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
The second one is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe; You showed wonders to our fathers/mothers in this season in days of old.
The third blessing is only said on the first night, and it is written:
This translates to: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us and for enabling us to reach this season.
