BLOG, LIFESTYLE
How to celebrate Hanukkah

DECEMBER 01, 2018


When I started to get into Judaism I wished I had a guide that would have told me how to live a Jewish life and especially how to celebrate Jewish Holidays. I still believe that my journey of discovering everything step by step and searching for answers is an important part of the journey of becoming Jewish. However, here I want to provide you a basic introduction of how to observe Hanukkah within Orthodox Judaism giving you insight into how to celebrate the holiday accompanied by a practical Video of my conversion Rabbi Rav Ariel Konstantyn.

​What We Celebrate on Hannukkah

On Hanukkah we remember Hashem's protection of the Israelites and the miracles that occurred. The holiday celebrates the miraculous triumph of the Jews over the Greeks and the liberation of the Jewish Temple. The Talmud (oral Torah) adds another miracle. It says that after the liberation of the temple the Jews found only a single container of pure olive oil to keep the menorah in the Temple lit for a single day. They used this, yet it burned for eight days (the time it took to prepare new oil).
Hannukah does not appear in the Torah as it happened after the writing of the Torah.

Read my spiritual meaning of Hannukah here.
​

How to Celebrate Hannukah

Hanukkah begins on the evening of the 25th of Kislev and continues for eight nights and days. Hanukkah is mainly celebrated in the evenings at home or at friend's homes. It is permitted to work on Hanukkah. There is no obligation to have festive meals.

The minimum obligation of Hannukah is that every household should have one candle burning every night to remember the miracle. It is customary to have one candle on the first night and an additional candle every night (1- 8), and for everyone in the house as well. The lights are lit in a special candelabra called a Hannukiah.


The Halacha of Hannukah
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  • There are different customs as to the lighting of the Hannukiah. Some light at sunset. Some light about ten minutes after sunset and some light 1/2 hour after.
  • One may light at a later time as long as people are still awake in the city.
  • Ideally, the Hannukiah should be placed near a window or outside of the house facing the public in order to publicise the miracle.
  • Any type of light is permitted: oil lamps, wax candles, electric lights.
  • Candles have to be in a straight line at the same height.
  • It is customary to have an additional candle (the shamash) with which to light the other candles using its light. The shamash should be placed in a way that shows that it is not one of the Chanukkah candles.
  • The candles are added from right to left (newest candle on the left, oldest on the right)
  • Light the shamash candle before reciting the blessing.
  • Say the blessing before lighting the Hannukah candles.
  • On the first night three blessings are recited: "Lehadlik ner shel Chanukah", "She asa nissim" and "Shehecheyanu".
  • On the other nights only the first two blessings are said.
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Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
​
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, she’asah nisim l’avoteinu, b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, shehekheyanu, v’kiyamanu vehegianu lazman hazeh.
​Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.

  • Light the Hanukkah candles from left to right (the new candle before the old candles).
  • All candles (including shamash candle) have to burn at least 30 min into dark.
  • It is forbidden to derive benefit from the light of the Hanukkiah.
  • On Shabbat: on Friday afternoon, the Chanukah candles should be lit before the Shabbat candles. Remember to put in more oil or bigger candles (eg. tee lights) on Friday, so that they burn 1/2 hour after nightfall. When lighting on Saturday night, light after Havdalah (the ceremony to end Shabbat).​

Traditions and Customs of Hannukah

It is a custom to eat foods cooked in oil on the eight days of Hannukah, like Latkes with apple sauce and sour cream. The frying oil reminds celebrants of the miracle of the oil. Small powdered sugar donuts, called sufganiyot are also a popular Hanukkah treat, especially in Israel.
Other traditional items of Hanukkah are dreidels, a four sided top which is used to play a gambling game with the prize of Hannukah gelt (chocolate coins).
Greeting people with "Hannukah Sameach."

The Practice of Hanukkah

​I am proud to present you a video of my conversion Rabbi Rav Ariel Konstantyn explaining the practice of Halacha of lighting Hannukah candles.

By Ilana Schiffner

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About Me

Welcome to "Jewishbychoice"! 
I am Ilana! 
​German, 28 years old, converted to Orthodox Judaism, currently living in Israel. Fascinated by Torah, Spirituality and Jewish values.
​Today I share my experiences on my blog and assist people in their conversion process. I teach weekly Judaism classes and offer professional conversion coaching.

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