MIRACLE OF THE OIL
Why do we eat sufganiyot on Chanukah?
Because they are fried in oil, reminding us of the miracle of the oil.
Who led the Jewish revolt against the Greeks?
The Maccabim / Chashmonaim.
What material is considered the best for lighting the menorah?
Pure Olive Oil
What does “pirsumei nisa” mean?
Publicizing the miracle.
What culture ruled over Israel during the Chanukah story?
The Greeks / Syrian-Greeks.
Why do some people eat dairy foods on Chanukah?
Because Yehudis used cheese to weaken the Greek general — dairy reminds us of her bravery.
Who was the cruel Greek ruler who made anti-Jewish decrees?
Antiochus.
How long must the candles burn to fulfill the mitzvah?
At least 30 minutes after nightfall.
Which miracle does pirsumei nisa mainly publicize
The oil.
True or false: The Greeks wanted to kill Jews.
False — they wanted to erase Judaism.
Which came first historically: latkes or sufganiyot?
Latkes came first, originally as cheese latkes.
Sufganiyot became common much later.
What did Yehudis bring with her to trick the Greek general?
Salty cheese and wine.
If someone lit the menorah early, before tzeis, does she fulfill the mitzvah?
No, unless it was close enough to nightfall that the candles are guaranteed to stay lit into the correct time.
Why do we place the menorah low (under 10 tefachim) when possible?
To mimic the miracle and so it’s more visible to passersby.
Name three mitzvah's the Greeks outlawed.
Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Bris Milah.
Why is the minhag to give gelt on Chanukah instead of on other holidays?
Because Chanukah celebrates the right to teach and learn Torah openly after the Greeks outlawed it.
Giving money on Chanukah originally helped students and teachers continue Torah learning
Who was the father of the Maccabee family?
Mattisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Gadol.
If the candles go out immediately or within a minute, do you need to relight them?
Yes — because it shows they were not set up properly.
What is the halachic reason we place the menorah by a window but not directly in the middle of a room?
Because the mitzvah is pirsumei nisa — it must be visible to people outside.
What did the Greeks want Jews to admire instead of kedushah?
Beauty without holiness, Greek culture, and physical perfection.
If the miracle was that the oil lasted EIGHT days, shouldn’t we eat foods with eight layers or eight ingredients instead of fried foods?
The reason for eating the food isn’t the number eight — it’s the oil itself, because that’s the part of the miracle that was visible.
Which woman did Yehudis ask Hashem for strength like?
Yael
According to Shammai or Hillel do we light from left to right but add new candles from right to left?
Hillel
Why is a menorah placed inside the home today for pirsumei nisa, when in the times of the Gemara it was placed outside the doorway?
Because during times of danger (e.g., when lighting outside would identify Jews to hostile governments), Chazal ruled that pirsumei nisa inside the house is enough.
This became standard in many communities.
What is the deeper reason Jewish brides were targeted by Greek decrees?
Because women are the foundation of Klal Yisrael.