Chanukkah History and Details
Who led the Maccabees?
Judah
What are the 4 letters on a dreidel that we use here, and what do they stand for?
Nun (Ness), Gimel (Gadol), Hey (Haya), Shin (Sham)
In what direction do we light the chanukiah candles?
Left to right (newest to oldest)
Finish the song: “I have a little dreidel, I made it out of ___.”
Clay
What do people often receive during Chanukah to play with but is also a treat?
Chocolate Gelt!
During which Jewish month does Chanukah occur?
Kislev
Why do some dreidels have a Shin while others have a Pay?
In chutz la’aretz, we use Shin for SHAM, there.
In Israel, they use Pay for Poh, here.
Where should a Chanukiah ideally be placed?
Ideally by a window, for others to see.
Name two more songs people often sing?
Ma’oz Tzur, and Sevivon Sof Sof Sof, Hanarot Halalu, Ul Haneesim. Answers will vary.
Which vegetable is traditionally used to make latkes?
Potatoes
Why did the Maccabees revolt?
prohibitions surrounding the practicing of Jewish customs and lifestyle
Why do we eat latkes and sufganiyot on Chanukah?
Oily food, to remember the miracle in the Temple
How many candles (including the shamash) are lit in total?
44
Besides Hebrew (and English), in what other language are Chanukkah songs *traditionally* sung, especially in Eastern European Jewish communities?
Yiddish
In gematria, the Hebrew letters of the word “Chanukah” (חנוכה) add up to this number.
89
Who was the King that prohibited the practicing of Jewish customs, and what nation/empire did he belong to?
Antiochus IV, Greek
If the menorah in the Temple has 7 lights/candles, why do we use 8 plus a shamash on our chanukiot?
The eight candles represent the eight days of the miracle, and the shamash is used to light the others so the Chanukah lights themselves are not used for practical purposes.
Why do we light the chanukiah at night?
Days start at nightfall and we run to perform mitzvot, asap!
Why do people think a man named Mordecai penned Ma’oz Tzur?
Name can be found when looking at the first letter of each paragraph/stanza.
What does “pirsumei nisa” mean?
Publicizing the miracle
Around what (English) year did the story of Channukah take place?
~167-160 BCE
Why are lights not supposed to be used for practical purposes (like reading or lighting a room)?
Because the lights are meant only to publicize the miracle, not for personal use.
Why do we place the candles from right to left, but light them from left to right?
Because Hebrew is read right to left, but we light the newest candle first to show that holiness increases each night
Ma’oz Tzur recounts past miracles for the Jewish people. Name two historic events or oppressors mentioned in the song.
Egypt (Pharaoh), Babylon, Persia, Greece (Seleucid Empire) – any two correct.
Why does halacha state that the candles must be lit for a minimum of 30 minutes?
The candles must burn long enough to be visible to others. Halachic authorities determined that about 30 minutes after nightfall is sufficient for the light to be seen, while also ensuring safety (candles shouldn’t be left burning unattended for too long).