1. HANUKKAH http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah Proiect Word. Shabat.docx Slide 6

2.  Each night after the lighting of the candles, the hymn Ma'oz Tzur is sung.Ma'oz Tzur  The song contains six stanzas. The first and last deal with general themes of divine salvation, and the middle four deal with events of persecution in Jewish history, and praises God for survival despite these tragedies (the exodus from Egypt, the Babylonian captivity, the miracle of the holiday of Purim, the Hasmonean victory), and a longing for the days when Judea will finally triumph over Rome.Jewish historythe exodusBabylonian captivityPurimHasmoneanRome

3. HANEROT HALALU DURING OR AFTER THE LIGHTS ARE KINDLED THE HYMN HANEROT HALALU IS RECITED. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERING VERSIONS.

4.  An addition is made to the " hoda'ah " (thanksgiving) benediction in the Amidah(thrice- daily prayers), called Al ha- Nissim ("On/about the Miracles").Amidah  This addition refers to the victory achieved over the Syrians by the Hasmonean Mattathias and his sons. After lighting the candles and Ma'oz Tzur, singing other Hanukkah songs is customary in many Jewish homes Typically three blessings ( brachot ; singular: brachah ) are recited during this eight-day festival when lighting the candles: On the first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite all three blessings; on all subsequent nights, they recite only the first two. During or after the lights are kindled the hymn Hanerot Halalu is recited. There are several differing versions; the version presented here is recited in many Ashkenazic communities

5.  Hanukkah lights should burn for at least one half hour after it gets dark. The custom of the Vilna Gaon observed by many residents of Jerusalem as the custom of the city, is to light at sundown, although most Hasidim light later, even in Jerusalem.Vilna Gaon  Many Hasidic Rebbes light much later, because they fulfill the obligation of publicizing the miracle by the presence of their Hasidim when they kindle the lights.Rebbes  Inexpensive small wax candles sold for Hanukkah burn for approximately half an hour, so on most days this requirement can be safely ignored.  Friday night presents a problem, however. Since candles may not be lit on the Shabbat itself, the candles must be lit before sunset. However, they must remain lit until the regular it is time for you to use longer candles, or the traditional oil lamps. In keeping with the above-stated prohibition, the Hanukkah menorah is lit first, followed by the Shabbat candles which signify its onset.Shabbat

6. Origins Hanukkah ( Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, Tiberian: Ḥ ă nukkāh, usually spelled חנוכה, in Modern Hebrew; a transliteration also romanized as Chanukah or Chanukkah), also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, is an eight- day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah ( Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, Tiberian: Ḥ ă nukkāh, usually spelled חנוכה, in Modern Hebrew; a transliteration also romanized as Chanukah or Chanukkah), also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, is an eight- day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE.HebrewModern HebrewJewish holidayHoly TempleSecond TempleJerusalemMaccabean RevoltSeleucid EmpireHebrewModern HebrewJewish holidayHoly TempleSecond TempleJerusalemMaccabean RevoltSeleucid Empire Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislevaccording to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislevaccording to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.KislevHebrew calendarGregorian calendarKislevHebrew calendarGregorian calendar

7. Development The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch.candelabrumMenorahcandelabrumMenorah The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: שמש ‎, "attendant") and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden. The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: שמש ‎, "attendant") and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden.shamashHebrewshamashHebrew

8. Significance The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes.MaccabeesAntiochus IV Epiphanes According to theTalmud, a late text, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting.Talmud

9. Hanukkah rituals Hanukkah is celebrated with a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the 8-day holiday, some are family-based and others communal. There are special additions to the daily prayer service, and a section is added to the blessing after meals.daily prayer serviceblessing after meals Hanukkah is not a "Sabbath-like" holiday, and there is no obligation to refrain fromactivities that are forbidden on the Sabbath, as specified in the Shulkhan Arukh.activities that are forbidden on the SabbathShulkhan Arukh Adherents go to work as usual, but may leave early in order to be home to kindle the lights at nightfall. Many families exchange small gifts each night, such as books or games. Fried foods (such as latke potato pancakes, jelly doughnut sufganiyot) are eaten to commemorate the importance of oil during the celebration of Hanukkah.potato pancakessufganiyot

10. There are approximately 14 million jews in the world. But do they all celebrate Hanukkah?