Traditions of Hanukkah
Our rabbis taught the rule of Chanukkah: ... on the first day one [candle] is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased ... [because] we increase in sanctity but do not reduce.
-Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud
Technically, Chanukkah is not a major religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of The High Holy Days, Passover, Sukkot or Shavuot. It’s not mentioned in the Torah but is related in the book of Maccabees, which Jews do not accept as scripture. The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. However, despite its relatively humble place in the pantheon of Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has carved out a very important niche here in America.
Sure, the American emphasis on Hanukkah may have originated as a way to “compete” with Christmas...
...but it has evolved into a wonderful winter holiday that brings family and friends together over the light of the candles, the smell of latkes, the game of dreidel, and the warmth of kinship and connection.
In Shira, the students are learning the prayers, rituals, and songs of Hanukkah. (It goes without saying that, thanks to the likes of The Maccabeats and 613, Hanukkah songs are now way cooler than “I Have a Little Dreidel.”) I love how this year's acapella offerings blend the Jewish fight for freedom with the American fight for freedom in two "Hamilton" mash-up parodies:
The students have a good understanding of the real story of Hanukkah; that it celebrates the military victory of a great Judean general, Judah Maccabees over Antiochus' Hasmonean troops in what came to be known as the Maccabean Revolt. It was also a victory for the Jews over complete assimilation into the Greek culture that was the Seleucid Empire at the time.
They are learning that there are many ways to celebrate Hanukkah around the world and that Hanukkah, while its traditions remain essentially the same, also provides a variety of opportunities for “customizing” each of those traditions.
Hanukkah means many things to many people. It can be:
The students have a good understanding of the real story of Hanukkah; that it celebrates the military victory of a great Judean general, Judah Maccabees over Antiochus' Hasmonean troops in what came to be known as the Maccabean Revolt. It was also a victory for the Jews over complete assimilation into the Greek culture that was the Seleucid Empire at the time.
They are learning that there are many ways to celebrate Hanukkah around the world and that Hanukkah, while its traditions remain essentially the same, also provides a variety of opportunities for “customizing” each of those traditions.
What are some of the unique Hanukkah traditions in your family?
- a celebration of God’s care
- a celebration of protecting Jewish uniqueness
- a celebration of Jews fighting for themselves and their religion
- a celebration of our differences
- a celebration of Jewish power
- a time for giving gifts
- a season of light in the darkest time of the year
This week, you might want to have a family discussion about how you can make Hanukkah a truly meaningful holiday by incorporating some of the middot (values) and mitzvot into the way you celebrate with your family.
Over the last ten years or so, one of the ways that my family has brought deeper meaning to Hanukkah is by making the 6th night the “Ner Shel Tzedakah” (Candle of Righteousness) night.
We devote that night to learning about various charities that help the needy, both locally and globally. Then, we dedicate ourselves to doing something to help that charity sometime over winter break.
We devote that night to learning about various charities that help the needy, both locally and globally. Then, we dedicate ourselves to doing something to help that charity sometime over winter break.
Over the years, we have volunteered at Winter Nights, made latkes for seniors at a local senior home, delivered Christmas presents to needy children, and collected blankets and coats for the homeless. It’s a great way for the family to do an act of Tikkun Olam (fixing the world) together, and I especially like the way it gives us a little break from holiday commercialism.
Now that our children are grown and making money of their own, we will each take the amount of money we would have spent on gifts and donate it to a charity of our choice (to be determined over latkes and a mean game of dreidel that night).
If you choose to adopt the custom of Ner Shel Tzedakah at your house, you might want to say a special blessing for the candles for that night:
A Blessing for the Sixth Night of Hanukkah
Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav, V'limdeinu L'Hadlik Ner Shel Tzedakah
Blessed are You, Eternal, our God, who makes us holy through the performance of Mitzvot, and inspires us to light the Candle of Righteousness.
As we light this "Ner Shel Tzedakah" tonight, we pray that its light will shine into the dark corners of our world, bringing relief to those suffering from the indignity and pain that accompany poverty. May our act of giving inspire others to join with us in the fight against the scourge of hunger, homelessness, need and want. Together, let us raise our voices to cry out for justice, and may that clarion call burst through the night's silence and declare that change must come.
Have a wonderful Hanukkah!
