Candle lighting
Why do we light the menorah for eight nights?
The oil was only supposed to last one night but it burned for eight.
Why were the Maccabees brave?
They were a smaller army (מעטים מול רבים).
What is Maccabi Tel Aviv?
Maccabi Tel Aviv is a sports club in Israel. It is famous for its basketball and soccer teams.
In Israel, the dreidel has a different letter to stand for this word meaning “here.”
Po - פה
Who were the enemies of the Jews during the Chanukah story?
the Greeks or Antiochus IV
Why do we add candles instead of keeping the same number?
Because every night the miracle got bigger, so our light grows too.
What did the Maccabees want to protect?
They wanted to protect the Jewish people, the Torah, and the Beit HaMikdash (the Temple).
What colors do Maccabi Tel Aviv wear?
Their colors are yellow and blue.
Hanukkah is celebrated on this Hebrew month
Kislev - כסלו
How many candles are actually lit from the shamash during the entire holiday?
36
Why do we put the menorah near a window?
So other people can see the candles. We want to share the miracle and spread light to everyone (Persumei Nisa).
Who was the leader of the Macabees?
Yehudah Hamacabee
What year did Maccabi Tel-Aviv win the Euro-cup?
2014
The Hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for this phrase meaning “A great miracle happened there.”
Nes Gadol Haya Sham
נס גדול היה שם
Which candle is lit first each night of hanukkah?
The Shamash
Why do the candles have to burn for a little while?
So it'll burn for enough time for people to see it
Why do we remember the Maccabees every year at Chanukah?
Because they fought the greeks, protected the temple etc'
Why is Maccabi Tel Aviv named “Maccabi”?
It is named after the Maccabees, the brave Jewish heroes from the Chanukah story.
The special Hanukkah prayer added to the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon is known by this Hebrew name meaning “for the miracles.”
Al Hanisim - על הניסים
In some Sephardic communities, this fried dough pastry is eaten.
Sfinges
Why can’t we use the candlelight to read or do homework?
Because the light is for looking at and remembering the miracle, not for everyday use. It’s special light! (ואין לנו רשות להשתמש בהם, אלא לראותם בלבד).
How many sons did Matityahu have?
When was Maccabi Tel Aviv started?
The club was started a long time ago, in 1906
This Hebrew blessing is recited on the first night of Hanukkah, thanking God.
Shehechayanu - שהחיינו
The debate between the schools of Shammai and Hillel was about this aspect of the Hanukkah candle lighting.
whether to increase or decrease the number of candles each night