OH CHANUKAH OH CHANUKAH COME LIGHT THE MENORAH
LIGHTING THE CHANUKAH CANDLES

The Chanukah candles should be kindled after nightfall. The Menorah should be placed near the window for public view. Involve the whole family in choosing the best place. But on Friday night, the Chanukah candles are kindled before nightfall and before Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, they are kindled after the conclusion of the Shabbat.

On the first night of Chanukah, place one candle in the Menorah at the extreme right. Light the Shamash (auxiliary candle) and recite the blessings. With the Shamash, light the candle in the Menorah. On the second night place two candles in the Menorah and so on, adding one candle each night of the Festival. The candles in the Menorah are always kindled from left to right.

NOTE:
On the first and eighth night of Chanukah, when it is Erev Shabbat, the lighting of the candles requires special attention. We must be careful never to profane the sanctity of Shabbat so we must remember to light the Chanukah candles prior to the time for lighting Shabbat candles.

CHANUKAH BLESSINGS

(Recited after the shamash is lit but before the other candles are kindled)
Baruch Ata Ah-do-nai Eh-lo-haynu melee!, ha'olam, asher kid'sha-nu b'mitz-vo-tav vitzi-va-nu l'had-lik nayr shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah.
Baruch Ate Ah-do-nai Eh-lo-haynu melech ha'olam, she'asa ni'sim la'avotaynu ba'yaMim ha'haym ba'zman ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in days of old at this time of year.
(On the first night only)
Baruch Ata Ah-do-nai Eh-lo-haynu melech ha'olam, she-he-cheya-nu, v'ki-y'manu, v'hi-gi-a-nu la'zman ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who has kept us alive, sustained us, and permitted us to celebrate this season.

READING FOR THE FIRST NIGHT

Erev Shabbat - Friday, December 11, 2009
These lights which we kindle tell the story of freedom: freedom from Greek oppression and from cruel persecutions our people were made to suffer in the days of Antiochus.
Just as the Maccabees wanted to serve God alone, may we dedicate ourselves to serve our people and humanity by helping to bring freedom to all, and teaching by example our devotion to the God of our salvation.

READING FOR THE SECOND NIGHT

Saturday, December 12, 2009
"God performs miracles for our ancestors in those days." We look back over the centuries in wonder! How could a small nation like ours, few in number and poorly armed, with no support from any other nation, stand up to such a formidable enemy? And win!? In their victory, in the continuing vitality of our people, we see God's miracles.

God's miracles are with us today, too. Sometimes we are so close to them, we either miss them or take them for granted. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and the exodus of Soviet, Albanian and Ethiopian Jews are new miracles in our own time. By supporting our brothers and sisters--those in Israel and those yearning to join them in our homeland - we acknowledge that God's miracles are fulfilled by human deeds. By embracing them, we sing praise to the God of miracles, then and now.

READING FOR THE THIRD NIGHT

Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Woe is me," Mattathias said when he saw the horrible crimes of the Greeks in Judea and in Jerusalem. "Why was I born to see this, the crushing of my people, the destruction of the holy city, and to sit still while it is surrendered to the enemies, the holy place into the hands of foreigners? "Why" he cried, "should we live any longer?" And then he gathered his sons and neighbors. They armed themselves and defeated their foe.

When we think about how our people have suffered in this century, under Communist oppression, during the Holocaust, in Ethiopia and Arab lands, it is hard not to despair. And we are troubled still. Outbreaks of antisemitic violence here and abroad are increasing. Israel is vilified in the court of world opinion, despite its democratic virtues, in spite of its fulfillment of the dream of a safe haven for Jews.

Let us not lose hope. Like Mattathias, let us affirm "God is with me. I shall not fear!" And, like Mattathias, let us be ever vigilant, ever among the defenders of our people.

READING FOR THE FOURTH NIGHT

Monday, December 19, 2009
"Jerusalem was deserted, like a wilderness, none of her children went in or out." Thus was the holy city as Judah Maccabee and his brothers prepared for battle. "The Sanctuary was shattered and pagans were in the citadeL Joy was taken away from Jacob: the flute and tI7 — irp were silent."

The Maccabees were shocked by the appearance of the empty city. But they gathered together and prayed and planned. They recalled how our ancestors were saved at the Sea of Reeds when they were pursued by Pharaoh's army, and the memory gave them strength.

This Chanukah we resolve to stand in solidarity with our people in Israel. We promised that we will not desert Jerusalem. We must show our Israeli brothers and sisters that we are with them by going up to Jerusalem. As we come together, our frustration with the hard challenges that face us will be transformed into faith in the One who liberates and saves Israel.

READING FOR THE FIFTH NIGHT

Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Judah Maccabee "increased his people's glory far and wide." Like a lion in his courage and strength, Judah won many battles and secured victory for our people. In a world filled with evil, the Maccabees enabled our people to stand tall.

In our violent world, we Jews stand proudly because of Israel's might. From its beginning, vast forces have been set against Israel's survival. But over and over again we have witnessed the victory of the few against the many as Israel has defended its people.

We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel, keeping in mind God's word to Joshua, who led our people into the Holy Land: "Be strong and resolute: do not be terrified or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

READING FOR THE SIXTH NIGHT

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
"Who can recount the things that befell us..." What a thrilling story Chanukah tells! The revolt against religious persecution, the purification and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, the establishment of an independent Jewish state, and perhaps, most important, the development of ways to preserve Judaism and prevent us from being engulfed by the Hellenism that overwhelmed every other culture in the ancient Near East.

Because the Maccabee revolt succeeded, our rabbis were able to shape a Judaism that has been strong and wise enough to guide our people for two millennia. Our people and faith survived, unique among the nations.

May our faith be as strong as theirs: may we be wise enough to learn from every person. And may we also marshall the ability to resist assimilation, using faith to measure what is good and what God requires of us - justice, righteousness, humility, wisdom, steadfast character, a compassionate heart and a charitable hand.

READING FOR THE SEVENTH NIGHT

Thursday, December 17, 2009
"Mighty Rock of my salvation, praised beyond compare, You are our God and Deliverer. When the Greeks assailed us in the days of the Hasmoneans, breaking through the defenses, profaning the pure oil, You wrought a miracle from the remaining container, causing our sages to decree eight days of singing and rejoicing!"

The memory of Chanukah has given strength to many generations of our people. Without weapons, totally vulnerable, they clothed themselves with the armor of the spirit; they understood that "not by might, nor by power, but by God's spirit" they could prevail.

This is the spirit that sustained Soviet Jews through all the dark years of totalitarian oppression. This is the spirit that Ethiopian Jews nurtured during their centuries-long exile. Now they are at freedom's door. We prayed for them, marched for them, visited with them to give them strength. Now, through our assistance, we must ensure the success of their Exodus as they emerge into freedom and arrive in Israel. We must help give the story of their salvation a happy ending.

READING FOR THE EIGHTH NIGHT

Erev Shabbat - Saturday, December 18, 2009

Kindle the taper like the steadfast star
Ablaze on evening's forehead o'er the earth:
Send through the night its luster till afar
An eight-fold splendor shines above the earth.

These words from the poem, "The Feast of Lights" by Emma Lazarus (1849-1887), set the mood for this final night of Chanukah with its "eight-fold splendor." We proclaim the miracles of this season: the victory of the Maccabees, the renewal of our faith, the triumph of the spirit. In every age that followed this victory over frustrations and despair, "a hero, a sage," inspired by these achievements, has emerged to lead us into a brighter future. Our new circumstances since September 11 and the war on terror require the same strong faith.

We acknowledge God's blessings: life, sustenance and the privilege of seeing and helping to make miracles happen in our own time, and to meet the real challenges that still face us as Americans and as Jews.

May we be worthy members of our noble and glorious House of Israel. May the blessing of peace be upon Israel and all of God's children. Amen.