Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.
The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple.
The holiday is also spelled Hanukkah.
This year it runs from Dec. 18-Dec. 26.
Chanukah commemorates how against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.
When they sought to light the temple’s menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.
Chanukah Is observed with the nightly menorah lighting. On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.
Before the lighting, special blessings are recited often to a traditional melody and traditional songs are sung afterward.
A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places.
In today’s consumer-driven society, people tend to place great importance on giving Chanukah gifts. However, the tradition is actually to give Chanukah gelt, or money, to children. In addition to rewarding positive behavior and devotion to Torah study, the gifts give the children the opportunity to give to charity. This has also spawned the phenomenon of foil-covered “chocolate gelt.”
So what are the flickering flames telling us?
Here are some messages from the [late] Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson:
A. Never be afraid to stand up for what’s right. Judah the Maccabee and his band faced daunting odds, but that didn’t stop them. With a prayer on their lips and faith in their heart, they entered the battle of their lives—and won. We can do the same.
B. Always increase in matters of goodness and kindness. Sure, a single flame was good enough for yesterday, but today needs to be even better.
C. A little light goes a long way. The Chanukah candles are lit when dusk is falling. Perched in the doorway, they serve as a beacon for the darkening streets. No matter how dark it is outside, a candle of G-dly goodness can transform the darkness itself into light.
Join us for our public menorah lighting ceremony, Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m. on Main Street in Miami Lakes.
Email chabadmiamilakes@gmail.com for more information.
Edited text by Chabad.org, reprinted with permission.