History
During what time period did חנוכה take place?
2nd Bet HaMikdash
Who was Yehudit?
Daughter of the Kohen Gadol
Why do we light a Hanukkiah?
To publicize the miracle of Hanukkah.
What do we use to light a מנורה?
Olive Oil
How many brachot do we say when we light the first night?
3
Who was Alexander the Great? And, what was his main goal?
Leader of Greece & Syria
He wanted to rule over the world. Especially the Jews
Why we remember her to this day?
Because she killed king holofernes and she used her position of power for the good.
What does Perumei Nisah mean?
Publicizing ones feeling of pride in being Jewish.
How long do the candles have to stay lit for?
30 minutes after sunset.
How many on the other nights?
2
Explain the culture of Hellenism
1. A focus on the external & aesthetics
2. You are valued based on your performances
Who was Mattityahu?
Son of the Kohen Gadol
According to ספרדים(Sephardim), how many מנורות are there in a home? Who lights?
1
Generally the father
Where is the best place to light the מנורה?
Outside or by the nearest doorway to the entrance of the home.
Why are we not allowed to benefit from the candles in the מנורה
Because we cannot take from one mitzvah and give to another.
What were some of the decrees Antichous made against the Jewish Nation?
They were killed if they kept Shabbat, learned Torah, celebrated Rosh Chodesh or performed Brit Milahs.
What does 'Maccabee' stand for?
Who is like you Hashem?
What is considered a kosher מנורה? How does it look?
9 candles total
Shamash is higher than the others and all others are equal in height.
In what direction do we put the candles first
Right to left
What is the order of candle lighting on ערב שבת (the night of Shabbat)
Hanukkah candles
then Shabbat candles
What do Brit Milah, Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat all have in common?
1. Unity of the Jewish nation
2. Serving Hashem
Explain the idea of Mesirut Nefesh
When one gives up something they value for the sake of Hashem and/or Judaism.
At what time of day do we need to light according to הלכה?
Before sunset.
In what direction do we light the candles?
Left to right
What is the order of candle lighting on (when Shabbat is over) מוצאי שבת? Why?
Havdallah then Hanukkah
This is because Shabbat occurs more often than Hanukkah.