Chanuka History
Why is the study of torah so important on chanuka?
Because that is what the Jews fought for
What are the two types of foods we have a minhag to eat and why?
Oil and dairy. Oil because of the menora and dairy because of Yehudis.
What halacha do we follow for the 1/2 hour after candle-lighting?
We don't do any work.
How long must the candles be lit for?
Half an hour.
What is the date of Chanuka and what does it mean?
Chaf hey Kisleiv and it means Chanu Chaf Hey, they rested on Chaf Hey.
What are the names of the women that displayed heroism in the Chanuka story?
Yehudis and Chana
How do we fulfill the Mitzva of Seuda on Chanuka?
During the meal we sing shira or talk about the greatness of Hashem and the miracles He did and does.
What were the differences between the menora we light and the menora lit in the beis hamikdash?
It had six branches, we have eight. It stayed lit all night.
Until what time of night may someone light the menora?
All night, as long as there are other people still around
What were the mitzvos that the Yevanim forbade the Jews to do?
No Shabbos, kosher, rosh chodesh, bris mila, learning torah.
During which time period did the Chanuka story take place?
The Second temple
Why did draidel playing become a minhag?
The children would go to the caves to learn torah. They'd pretend to play draidel when the Greeks came to find them.
Jewish Month that Chanukah took place
Kislev
If one lights the menora in public in shul they:
Need not light at home
Light without a bracha
Light with a bracha
Light with a bracha
What are two things we add in the Chanuka davening?
What is something we omit from the Chanuka davening?
We add Al Hanisim and Hallel. We don't say tachanun.
Who did the yevanim come from (someone in tanach)?
Yafes
Why are not supposed to eat before candle-lighting?
So that we won't forget to light on time
What should someone do if they are traveling and are staying in a home but don't have a menora?
Give the owner of the home some money and participate with him.
What are the letters of the dreidel in Israel
Nun, Gimmel, Hey and Peh
What is the difference between the reshaim in the purim story and those in the Chanuka story?
Achahveirosh wanted to kill the Jews physically. The Greeks wanted the Jews to adopt their lifestyle - they wanted to destroy them spiritually.
Why is Chanuka for eight days?
The miracle was that they found pure oil at all (one of the many answers)
When did Chanuka become an actual Yom Tov?
A year later
What is forbidden to do with the lights of the menora? Why?
We cannot benefit from them. That would be embarrassing the flames and causing embarrassment to one of Hashem's mitzvos is like causing embarrassment to Hashem.
According to halacha, who is required to light the menora?
Are women equal in this Chiyuv?
The head of the household
Where King Antiochus was from
Syria