23 Questions
What Jewish victory does Hanukkah commemorate?
Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greek superpower in the second century BCE, during the time of the Second Holy Temple.
When does Hanukkah begin and end in 2023?
Hanukkah begins Thursday evening December 7 and ends on Friday December 15 in 2023.
What are some common customs during Hanukkah?
Some common customs during Hanukkah include singing holiday songs, eating oily foods, and playing dreidel.
What led to the story of Hanukkah?
The story of Hanukkah is about the clash of cultures when the Greeks attempted to secularize the Jews by abolishing key Jewish practices and challenged them to sacrifice a pig to a Greek god.
What is the traditional song sung after lighting the Hanukkah candles?
Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages)
What type of food is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah?
Foods cooked with oil
What is a popular item given for Hanukkah gifts?
Hanukkah 'gelt' (money or foil-covered chocolate coins)
What special paragraph is added to the Amidah prayer during Hanukkah?
Al Hanisim
What prayer is said daily during Hanukkah?
Hallel prayer
What is emphasized as a prominent theme in modern society?
External appearance
What does Jewish tradition associate the Greeks in this Chanukah story with?
Forces of darkness
What are some true stories mentioned in the text about how Hanukkah has unexpectedly ignited the Jewish spark?
Stories from Bergen Belsen, Nazi-occupied France, the Soviet Gulag, a Grateful Dead concert, a fraternity party, the crime-ridden streets of Seattle, and a lonely Jewish soldier in Iraq
What are some meanings of the word Hanukkah according to the text?
'Education', 'dedication', and 'beginning'
Who led the guerrilla warfare against the Syrian-Greek army and recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem?
Matitiyahu and Judah the Maccabee
What is the significance of the miraculous lighting of the Menorah during the Festival of Lights?
It is celebrated as a symbol of the small jar of oil that burned for eight days
What is a Menorah and where do its origins date back to?
A candelabra used to light the Hanukkah candles, and its origins date back to the Torah in Exodus
Where are Menorahs lit and what are the different traditions for lighting among communities?
Menorahs are lit in every household and in the synagogue, with different traditions for lighting among Ashkenazi and Sefardi communities. In Ashkenazi tradition, each person lights his own menorah. Sefardi tradition has just one menorah per family.
How long must the Hanukkah candles burn after nightfall and what is the preferable choice of fuel for lighting them?
The candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall, and it is preferable to light them with olive oil
Where is the preferable location to light the Menorah and at what time should it be lit?
The Menorah is ideally lit outside the doorway of the house, on the left side when entering, or in a window facing the public thoroughfare. The preferable time to light the Menorah is at nightfall
What is the role of the Shamash in the lighting of Hanukkah candles?
The Shamash (taller helper candle) is used to light the other candles
What are some aspects of Hanukkah celebration and its significance?
Hanukkah is a time for family celebration, expressing thanks and praise for the miracles and wonders performed for the Jewish people, and celebrating the historic victory and the miracle of the oil
What mitzvah do we perform over Hanakkah?
The important mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles
What is rule about usage of the Hanukkah lights?
The light should not be used for any purpose other than viewing
Study Notes
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights and the Menorah
- The Jewish priest Matitiyahu and his son Judah the Maccabee led a guerrilla warfare against the Syrian-Greek army, ultimately defeating them and recapturing the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
- The miraculous lighting of the Menorah with a small jar of oil that burned for eight days is celebrated during the Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah.
- A Menorah is a candelabra used to light the Hanukkah candles, and its origins date back to the Torah in Exodus.
- Menorahs are lit in every household and in the synagogue, with different traditions for lighting among Ashkenazi and Sefardi communities.
- The candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall, and it is preferable to light them with olive oil.
- The Menorah is ideally lit outside the doorway of the house, on the left side when entering, or in a window facing the public thoroughfare.
- The preferable time to light the Menorah is at nightfall, and it should remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
- The lighting of Hanukkah candles involves reciting specific blessings, with the Shamash (taller helper candle) used to light the others.
- Hanukkah is also a time for family celebration and is a favorite family time.
- The Festival of Lights is a time to express thanks and praise for the miracles and wonders performed for the Jewish forefathers.
- Hanukkah candles are sacred, and their light should not be used for any purpose other than viewing, during the 30 minutes after nightfall.
- Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the historic victory and the miracle of the oil, and to fulfill the important mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles.
Test your knowledge of Hanukkah and the Menorah with this quiz. Explore the history, traditions, and significance of the Festival of Lights, and discover the customs associated with lighting the Menorah.
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