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Chanukah

WHAT IS THE CHANUKAH?

Chanukah begins this year (2003) on the evening of December 19th.

Excerpted from "The Book of Our Heritage" by Eliyahu Kitov

On the 25th of Kislev, the eight days of Chanukah begin, and lights are lit at the advent of each evening.

What is Chanukah? The Rabbis have expounded: Beginning with the 25th of Kislev, eight days of Chanukah 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 Hasmonean house prevailed and vanquished them, they searched and found only one remaining jar of oil with the Cohen Gadol's seal. Although it contained only enough oil to burn one day, a miracle occurred, and the oil burned eight days. A year later they (the Rabbis) designated these days as Yamim Tovim on which praise and thanksgiving were to be uttered (Tractate Shabat 21).

During the period of the Second Temple, the Greek kings issued harsh decrees against Israel; outlawed their religion, forbade them to engage in the study of Torah and the practice of mitzvot, laid hands upon their money and their daughters, entered the Sanctuary and ravaged it, and defiled all that had been ritually pure. They caused Israel great anguish, till the G-d of our Fathers granted them mercy and delivered them from the hands of their enemies. The Hasmonai Cohanim Gedolim prevailed, slew them, and delivered Israel from their hands. They designated a king from among the cohanim, and the Kingdom of Israel was restored for more than 200 years, till the second Destruction.

And Israel prevailed against their enemies and vanquished them, on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. They entered the Sanctuary and found only one jar of ritually pure oil that was sufficient to burn only one day; but they lit the lights of the Menorah from it for eight days, till they pressed olives and extracted pure oil (Rambam, Hilchoth Chanukah, Chapter 3).

The Sages of that generation therefore decreed, that the eight days beginning with the 25th Kislev should be days of rejoicing; that Halel be recited, and that lights be lit at the entrance to the homes, each of the eight nights, in order to publicize the miracle. And these days are called "Chanukah" that is to say, Chanu Kaf-Hay (they rested on the 25th), for on the 25th of Kislev 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 Halel (praise), and therefore, the complete Halel is said during Shacharith all eight days of Chanukah. The term "thanksgiving" refers to Al Hanisim, which is included in each Shmoneh Esreh during these days, as well as in Birkat Hamazon.


OHR Written by Rabbi Mordechai Becher
Edited by Rabbi Moshe Newman
Copyright (C) 1996 Ohr Somayach International.
Prepared by team of Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto
BAYT

Chanukah resources:
Traditions & history What is the Chanukah? (Russian)
Lighting Menorah Up Right (Russian)
Playing Dreydel (Russian)
Why Chanukah Gelt? (Russian)
History of Latkes (Russian)
Chanukah Recepies (Russian)
Yehudah Makkabi (Russian)
The Month of Kislev (Russian)
What is the Chanukah? (English)
Lighting Menorah Up Right (English)
Playing Dreydel (English)
Yehudith - Woman of Valour (English)
 
Chanukah Recepies (English)
The Laws of Chanukah (English)
Confusing Time of the Year Is the same old New Year or it's Sylvester?! (Russian / English)
  To Tree or not to Tree?! – post-Soviet perspective on New Year Tree (Russian / English)
Spiritual growth Chachmas HaTorah: Not Just Knowledge (English)
Chanukah or essence story of our Life (Russian)
Lights warming night - Chanukah thoughts (Russian)
Child's question or how to be Consistant... (Russian)
Chanukah story: The lights in the Dark (Russian)
Chanukiya or Menorah? (Russian)
Chanukah & Purim (Russian)
Chanukah & Joseph the Righteous (English)


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Last update: November 15, 2002
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