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
Which foods do we eat on חנוכה to commemorate the special miracle?
Oily foods like latkes and donuts!
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 use dreidels as a distraction
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 does this mean, and what does it have to do with חנוכה?
מעט אור דוחה הרבה חושך
A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.
The small group of Jews were able to overcome the mighty Greeks,
our small lights add so much light to the world!
What is given to children on חנוכה?
(Chabad custom)
חנוכה געלט!
What were the 4 main decrees against the Jews in the חנוכה story?
No שבת
No כשר
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 inst4ead of counting down from 8 to 1
What are the 3 ברכות that are said on the מנורה?
1. להדליק נר חנוכה
2. שעשה נסים
3. שהחיינו
The Jews searched for one small bottle of pure oil even though there was plenty of oil in the בהמ"ק storage rooms.
What was wrong with the oil? What message were the Greeks trying to give?
The Greeks had broken the seal of the כהן גדול to show that they appreciated the beautiful Jewish traditions and history, but to leave out 'ה and the concept of holiness.
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 to rest from fighting.
The lights of חנוכה will never be extinguished forever
נרות חנוכה איננו בטלים
This means that the strength of the Maccabim and חנוכה continue to burn within us to this day.
What is the internal "battle" that each one of us is fighting? What is an example of the strength of חנוכה that helps us?
We are each fighting against the יצר הרע!
- Torah
- Mitzvos
- Teaming up with others to remain inspired
- Doing it anyway!
Until there are no people still out and about outside
What is the Hebrew name for the Greeks and for the Jewish people who followed the Greeks?
יוונים
מתיוונים
What is the name חנוכה an acronym for?
_____ח_____ נ______ ו________ כ_______ ה
Hint: מנורה lighting
ח
נרות
והלכה
כבית
הלל
What does the number 8 represent?
Hint: creation
8 represents things that are above nature like the חנוכה miracle!
Which two תפילות are added on חנוכה, and when are they said?
1. We say ועל הנסים in שמונה עשרי and bentching
2. הלל
Who are two famous women in חנוכה history and what are their stories?
1. Yehudis - became close to the Greek general and then killed him
2. Chana - died al kiddush Hashem together with her 7 sons