Characters of Chanukah
Who beat the Assyrians and were victorious in the war?
The Maccabim
What is written on the סביבון and what is the significance of each letter?
נ.ג.ה.ש. – נס גדול היה שם
Why do we light chanukah candles?
To publicize the miracle that took place.
Why do we light candles at night?
Give your own symbolic answer as well
Add your own answer!
How many days was the oil supposed to last? How many days did it actually last?
It was supposed to last for 1 night, but lasted for 8 nights
Who was the Assyrian king who made evil decrees against the Jews?
Antiochus
What songs do we sing after we light Chanukah candles?
Hanerot Halalu, Maoz Zur, Una Candelika
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnMcJ4ZMpk
How many candles do we light on the 3rd night?
3 candles plus the Shamash
Why do we eat oily foods such as potato latkes or sufganiot?
To remember the miracle of the oil
What type of oil was used in the Menorah in the Temple? How does the Menorah look?
Matityahu was the first leader, the famous leader of the sons was Judah (Yehuda)
What are the blessings that we say before candlelighting?
First Night- 3 blessings
Second night and onward - 2 blessings
1. Lehadlik Ner shel Chanukah
2. Sheasa Nisim Laavotaynu Bayamim Hahem Bazman Hazeh
3. Shehecheyanu, vekeyemanu, vehigianu bazman hazeh
When do we light the chanukah candles?
After it gets dark
Why was there a rebellion of the Maccabim?
If you were around during this time, would you have joined the Maccabim and why?
The rebellion began because decrees were made against practicing Judaism.
Would you have joined in fighting against a strong force?
In what city did the Maccabim live?
In Modiin - מודיעין
Who in the family is obligated to light Chanukah candles? (Be specific)
Both men and women are obligated as they were all included in the miracle of Chanukah. According to the Sephardi tradition, only the head of the household lights one for the family. Nowadays, in most families, all can light their own chanukiah
Fill in the song:
הנרות הללו שאנו _____________ על הניסים ועל ה ________________
Hanerot Halalu Sheanu ________, Al Hanisim Veal ha______________
Hanerot Halalu Sheanu Madlikim, Al Hanisim, veal haniflaot, veal hateshuot veal hamilchamot. Sheasita laavotaynu, bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh.
How many candles do we light on all the nights together?
44
It was on the 25th of Kislev that the Maccabim entered into the Beit Hamikdash (Temple).
At a minimum, how long do the candles need to be lit? What are you allowed to do while the candles are lit?
The candles should be lit for 30 minutes at least. During those 30 minutes, one is not supposed to do work or eat. One is not supposed to do anything.
What was the name of the woman who killed the evil king?
Yehudit (Judith)
What prayer do we add in our weekly and Shabbat prayers?
על הניסים
Al Hanisim talks about the victorious win of the Jews during a time where they were being persecuted. It also talks about the miracle of the oil
How do we light Chanukah candles on the first night? How do we light chanukah candles on the second night?
Show us on a real chanukiyah
On the first night:
First light the shamash, then we say the Berachot, then we light the candle to the most right.
On second night:
First light the shamash, then we say the Berachot, then we light the candle to the second most right (the new candle), then we move from left to right and light the candle from the previous night(s)
Why do we use the Shamash?
We are not permitted to use the light of the candles. In order to not use the light, we keep the shamash lit so that if we do use the candles- it is the Shamash light that we are using.
how many blessings do we say on the first night? How many do we say on the other nights?
3 on the first night and 2 on the other nights