Names of חנוכה
What do the letters on the dreidel stand for in Israel and everywhere else?
נ-ג-ה-ש: נס גדול הי' שם
נ-ג-ה-פ: נס גדול הי'פה
What is פרסומי ניסא and what is one thing we do because of it?
Publicizing the miracles of חנוכה
- public lightings
- lighting in the window
Where is the BEST place to place the Hannukiyah?
Outside your front door.
What was the role of the dreidel in the חנוכה story?
When the Jewish children had to hide their learning from the Greek soldiers, they would pretend to be playing dreidel.
What is the name of the group of Jewish fighters in the חנוכה story, and what does their name stand for?
The מכביs
מי
כמוך
באלים
'ה
What is the famous question about the miracle lasting for 8 days and what is one response.
There was one jar of oil, so it really was only a miracle for 7 days!
Response: the extra day is for the miracle of re-dedicating the Temple and defeating the Greeks.
When are you allowed to light on your table?
In a time of danger.
What were the 3 main decrees against the Jews in the חנוכה story?
No שבת
No learning תורה
No ברית
The name חנוכה comes from the word "חנוכת"
What does that mean and what does it have to do with חנוכה?
It means "dedication." This is referring to the rededication of the בית המקדש after the war.
מעלין בקודש ואין מורידין
What does this mean and what does it have to do with חנוכה?
We increase in holiness, we do not decrease.
This is why we add a candle each night instead of counting down from 8 to 1
What are two things that are not allowed on Hanukkah?
Eulogies and Fasting
There was only one jar of oil with what on it?
The seal of the כהן גדול - the only Grade A kosher oil to use.
The name חנוכה stands for "חנו כה"
What does that mean and what does it have to do with חנוכה?
It means "They rested on the 25th"
On the 25th day of כסלו, the war was over and the Jews were able rest from the war.
What did the rabbis in the gemara establish Hannukkah as? (Hint: It is the last line in the gemara)
Answer must be in Hebrew.
יָמִים טוֹבִים בְּהַלֵּל וְהוֹדָאָה
Until there are no people still out and about outside
What is the Hebrew name for the Greeks?
יוונים
What is the name חנוכה an acronym for?
_____ח_____ נ______ ו________ כ_______ ה
Hint: מנורה lighting
ח
נרות
והלכה
כבית
הלל
Hanukkah was the first chance to go in the Temple since Sukkot and they went around with lulav and etrog as a make up Sukkot. They are both 8 days.
Beit Shammai tied candle lighting to Sukkot - it follows the decreasing korbanot - 70 bulls --> 1 bull.
Explain the three levels of lighting and what is the word used to describe the higher levels?
What year was the Maccabean, Hanukkah rebellion?
What is 165 B.C.E.