Chanukah

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Chanukah

• By,
• Jessica Glanden
• Amanda Shane

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The History of Chanukah

• During the second temple period, the Greco-Syrian
  kings outlawed the Jewish religion.
• All reading of the scripture, circumcision,
  Sabbath observance, and a number of other Jewish
  religious practices were forbade.

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Rebellion!

• This caused the Jewish peoples to rebel in what
  became known as the Maccabean Revolt, led by
  Judas Maccabee ( The Hammer)
• The Jewish peoples were victorious in their
  revolt against the government, and gained control
  back of their Holy Temple.

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Victory!

• After the Maccabees victory, they returned to
  their temple to begin purification, but found it
  in ruins.
• There was only one small vessel of oil left that
  would last one day.
• The miracle was that the oil lasted 8 days,
  enough time to make more oil for the temple.

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Festival of Lights

• A year later, the Rabbis designated these 8 days
  as Yomin Tovin (Holidays) on which praise and
  thanksgiving were to be said (Chanukah).
• Today, the Festival of Lights is a part of this
  celebration, where colorful candles are lit in a
  menorah with 8 branches.

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-The Menorah-

• The Menorahs 8 branches marks the 8 days of
  Chanukah.
• On the first day of Chanukah a candle is lit on
  the menorah, and with everyday proceeding a new
  candle is lit in celebration.
• Blessing on the Menorah

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Shamash

• Means guardian of the ninth candle
• As a universally-practiced beautification of
  the mitzvah, the number of lights lit increases
  by one each night.
• An extra light called the shamash is also lit
  each night, and is given a distinct location,
  either lower or higher then the others.

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Shamash Cont.

• The purpose of the extra light is to adhere to
  the prohibition specified in the Talmud (Tracate
  Shabbat 21b-23a), against using the Chanukah
  lights for anything other than publicizing- or
  meditating on- the Chanukah story
• The candles are lit on sundown, in keeping with
  the Shabbat traditions
• Ner Rishon

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Chanukah Prayer Song

• Baruch atah Adonai
• Eloheinu melech ha-olam
• asher kidshanu bmitzvotav vtzivanu
  Ihadlik neir (shei) chanukah

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Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

• A four sided spinning top associated with
  Chanukah.
• Each side is engraved with a different Hebrew
  letter
• ? (Nun)
• ? (Gimel)
• ? (Hey)
• ? (Shin)

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Dreidel Cont.

• These letters are an acronym for the Hebrew
  words, ?? ???? ??? ??, Nes Gadol Haya Sham- A
  great miracle happened here (referring to the
  miracle of the oil that took place in the Beit
  Hamikdash)

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Other

• Chanukah is spelled many different ways,
  including
• Hanukkah, which means dedication. (most common
  in the United States)
• Chanukah (common alternative in the United
  States)
• Hanukah (less common alternative in the United
  States)
• Chanuka (rare spelling in Hebrew, dropping the
  final 'h' would change the gender of the word)
• Hanuka (rare spelling again, the gender would
  be masculine instead of feminine, in Hebrew)
• Channukah
• Hanukka (rare spelling)
• nike (YIVO standard transliteration from the
  Yiddish and/or Ashkenazic pronunciation of the
  Hebrew)

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Latkes Legend

• Because the Chanukah story much involves oils,
  foods fried in oils are traditional.
• Legend says that during the Jewish peoples fight
  against the Greco-Syrian government 2,000 years
  ago, women made flat cakes and fried them for the
  warriors because they could be prepared quickly.
• Today, these potato pancakes, also known as
  Latkes, are still prepared and eaten throughout
  the Chanukah holiday.

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• Adam Sandler- Hannukah Song