The Meaning of Chanukah
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The Story of Chanukah
Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks.
More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar.
Follow this link for a full list of Chanukah books for children
.Terrific Fun New Chanukah Video by The Maccabeats
The Rebellion Against Antiochus and the Miracle
Oil was needed for the menorah
According to tradition as recorded in The Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night.
There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle.
Chanukah Gelt
An Excellent Introduction to Chanukah
with Theodore Bikel
A Taste of Chanukah
Amazon Price: $6.87 (as of 02/14/2012)
List Price: $14.99
A Taste of Chanukah is a joyous celebration of Chanukah that the whole family can enjoy. Hosted by Theodore Bikel and led by Artistic Director Hankus Netsky, the program serves up a festive hour-long concert. The program features over 150 musicians from the different ensembles recorded live at the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall in Boston. Listeners will delight in humorist Chasia Segal, who demonstrates how to cook perfect potato latkes.
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Not in Scripture
Chanukah is not an important religious holiday
Chanukah Candles
Lighting Chanukah Candles
How to light Chanukah candles
On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l'hadlik neir (a general prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking God for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time), and she-hekhianu (a general prayer thanking God for allowing us to reach this time of year). The first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and the shammus candle is placed in its holder. The candles are allowed to burn out on their own after a minimum of 1/2 hour.
Chanukah Crafts
Jewish Chanukah Scratch Art Kit - Set of 4
Amazon Price: (as of 02/14/2012)
Great holiday activity for the kids: Lot contains 4 scratch art kits, with one or more Jewish images plus scratching tools. For children ages 6/+, not to be used by children under age 3. Each image is 4 x 6".
The Shammus
The worker candle
Why the shammus candle? The Chanukah candles are for pleasure only; we are not allowed to use them for any productive purpose. We keep an extra one around (the shammus), so that if we need to do something useful with a candle, we don't accidentally use the Chanukah candles. The shammus candle is at a different height so that it is easily identified as the shammus.
Alexander the Great
Allowed religious freedom
T.E.S. ARTSHOP - Jewish Holidays - Over 1000 Jewish Holiday Clipart Images
Amazon Price: (as of 02/14/2012)
About -T.E.S. Artshop is a complete clipart collection for the Jewish Holidays. It covers all the events of a full Calendar year.Priced right and designed for easy access. T.E.S. Artshop is perfect for the professional designer as well as the teacher, activities director, educator, creative parent, as well as for children who love to create and color. Features - T.E.S. ARTSHOP - Jewish HolidaysOver 1,000 Professionally Drawn Images. Windows viewer included. Thumbnail and actual size views. Easy Copy, Save, Print any picture. Divided into 15 categories in separate folders makes finding the pictures you want simple. Handy ready print format. Vector-based WMF format with complete editing capabilities. 1 CD-ROM easy to access Picture Categories:Chanukah Lag BaOmer Passover Purim Rosh HaShanna Shavuous Simchas Torah Succos Tu BShevat Yom Haatzmaut Yom HaShoah Yom HaZikaron Yom Yerushalyaim Yom Kippur.
Jewish Holidays
Amazon Price: $12.92 (as of 02/14/2012)
List Price: $25.99
"This is a delightful, interesting, evocative, uesful, and occasionally outragous book that fills a real need." -- Rabbi Richard J. Israel
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They needed oil for the lamp in the holy Temple
Chanukah Traditions
Fried foods are traditional for Chanukah
Gift-giving is not a traditional part of the holiday. The only traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money.
Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah (an illegal activity) would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top (a common and legal activity) whenever an official or inspector was within sight.
Who Can Retell?
Who can retell the things that befell us, who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid
Who can retell the things that befell us, who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid
Hear! In days of yore in Israel's ancient land
Maccabeus led the faithful band
Now all Israel must as one arise
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice
How to Bless the Chanukah Candles
Candles should be added to the menorah from right to left. The shammus candle is lit first. While holding the shammus candle, recite the following blessings. They are usually sung.
Blessing over Candles
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us
l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amen)
to light the lights of Chanukah. (Amen)
Blessing for Chanukah
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amen)
Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Shehecheyanu (first night only)
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh. (Amen)
who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. (Amen)
After reciting the blessings, use the shammus to light the Chanukah candles from left to right (newest to oldest).
Candles should be left burning until they go out on their own. They must burn for more than half an hour. Standard Chanukah candles burn for about an hour.
Chanukah Lights Everywhere
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/14/2012)
On each of the eight nights of Chanukah, a young boy finds a matching number of lights in the world around him to remind him of the burning candles on his family's menorah. The warm, appealing acrylic illustrations and the counting element make this a good choice to share with preschoolers.-E. M.
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What Holidays Have Meaning to You?
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wordstock
Nov 10, 2011 @ 9:09 am | delete
- In my search to learn more about Jewish holidays and traditions for my secret sister, I found this lens. Last year, she taught us about Chanukah at our quilt guild Christmas party and we all learned something new. This was very helpful. Angel blessed.
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Senora_M
Jan 13, 2011 @ 3:09 pm | delete
- Cool lens. I just returned from a trip to Israel with my husband. We had a great time learning about Jewish culture. I have a small collection of menorahs around my house that I have collected since college.
blessed by a squid angel
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skiesgreen
Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:12 pm | delete
- Very intersting and well presented lens. Top marks
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Jhangora
Dec 14, 2010 @ 7:09 pm | delete
- Really informative lens. Thanx a lot for the share.
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GrowWear
Dec 5, 2010 @ 1:12 pm | delete
- Happy Chanukah to Paula and family!
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pmolinero
Dec 2, 2010 @ 9:27 am | delete
- A beautiful lens with so many interesting information about Chanukah. Thank you for sharing this.
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windygig
Dec 1, 2010 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- i love this lens. Happy Chanukah. Today and throughout.
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BevsPaper
Dec 1, 2010 @ 5:27 pm | delete
- Happy first night of Chanukah to you and your family!
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TheWhistler
Dec 1, 2010 @ 5:02 pm | delete
- A lovely lens. Thank you.
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spirituality
Nov 27, 2009 @ 6:25 am | delete
- Great lens. I've featured this at my Judaism quiz: http://www.squidoo.com/quiz-judaism
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Pukeko
Nov 9, 2009 @ 9:51 pm | delete
- Excellent job here. I have featured this lens at
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KimGiancaterino May 7, 2009 @ 10:36 pm | delete
- Very nice... I'm lensrolling to my 'Chanukah Song' lens.
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JustBon-Crochet-Designs
Nov 16, 2008 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- Great lens. I learned something here. 5*s
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WendyKrick
Nov 16, 2008 @ 8:51 am | delete
- Wonderful Lens.
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ArtByLinda Nov 14, 2008 @ 11:15 pm | delete
- Beautiful lens, I've learned a lot about the holiday. Though I have to say the candles on the menorah is too easy because they are right above the question! :-)
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Mayflowerblood
Nov 14, 2008 @ 10:37 pm | delete
- Thanksgiving is very important to me it has to do with my family's history
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Other Chanukah Lenses
- Navigating Jewish living with interfaith families
- By CINDY SHER In December, wife and husband Tara and Josh Lamkin hosted their parents for the second night of Chanukah, a tradition they inaugurated last year at their Skokie home. A similar Chanukah scenario has played out at Jewish homes across the ...
- Oprah and Chabad; Jesus for Hanukkah; and more. [Required Reading]
- When asked by Seligson what she would tell a ?non-observant, or a non-traditional Jew who would be curious about exploring their traditions or heritage,? Oprah replied simply: ?Well, I think what I felt today is a closer connection to my own heritage ...
- How to Act at Someone Else's Church
- But religious services of various kinds go on all year, and different rules apply when you're in church than when you're at a Hanukkah party. Herewith, some advice on going to someone's place of worship without making an ass of yourself.
- At Government House with Martin and Katie O'Malley
- More program participants included Rabbi Steven Fink, of Beth El Congregation located in Pikesville, who explained to everyone the traditions and symbolism of Hanukkah. This then appropriately led to singing the traditional candle lighting prayer, ...
About Lakeerieartists
by lakeerieartists
I am an artist, writer, and owner of Lake Erie Artists Gallery at Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
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