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Rituals of Hanukah
Alvin Stern
As the High Holidays and Sukkot recede into our memories and we watch the days growing steadily shorter, we realize that the Festival of Lights is next on the calendar. Hanukah is truly a holiday celebrated in the home. So, let’s discuss the rituals associated with this holiday. They involve, to no one’s surprise, the lighting of the Hanukiah (the special “menorah” for use on Hanukah)!
We may use either candles or oil in fulfilling the mitzvah of proclaiming the miracle. Either way, we set the Hanukiah facing a window, so that the candles may be viewed from the street. We set the Hanukiah so that the first candle (or wick in oil) is on the far right. On subsequent nights, we set the candles in their holders starting on the right (with day one) and place them in order moving towards the left, but we light them from the current day down to the first day position. Each night we kindle the Shamash, and use it to light the candles or wicks. The Shamash may be placed next to the other lights or at a different height, but the 8 candles must be on the same level and in a straight line – this teaches us that none of the days are more important than the others, all 8 days are equally part of the miracle we celebrate.
We recite a Bracha before starting to light the candles thanking G-d for commanding us to light the candles. We recite the second Bracha while lighting the candles, which thanks G-d for the miracles He performed for our ancestors at this season of the year. On the first night we also add the Shehechianu prayer. Following the lighting we recite a short paragraph indicating that the lights serve to remind us of the miracles G-d performed. Then we sing Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) praising G-d for this miracle and others we recall in our people’s history.
On Friday night, we light the Hanukah candles prior to lighting the Shabbat candles; on Saturday night, at home, we light them just after the Havdalah service marking the end of Shabbat. In the synagogue it is customary to light the Hanukah candles each weekday night prior to davening Ma’ariv, and to have them burning again during the following morning minyan. On Saturday night, in shul, we light the Hanukiah before doing the Havdalah service, to demonstrate the importance of proclaiming the miracle publicly.
During the Festival, we may do all of our usual work – there are no restrictions as on Shabbat or major holidays. However, it has become traditional, to refrain from working during the time that the candles are burning – so we can use this time for playing dreidel games, reading or even (as we do in our family) – eating dinner while the candles are burning down. Of course, we are prohibited from using the Hanukah lights for any purpose, so we make sure to keep the room lights on bright!
The only other ritual to discuss concerning Hanukah, is the addition of the Al HaNissim (thanking G-d for the miracles) prayer in the Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) and Amida; and the singing of the Full Hallel and addition of a Torah reading each morning. Indeed , Hanukah is truly a minor holiday, though you might not know that judging by all the attention it gets in the media due to the coincidence in timing with other faith’s holidays!
Chag Orim Sameach! ( Happy Festival of Lights!) |
