Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah)
25th Day of the 9th Month through the 3rd Day of the 10th Month on Hillel II Calendar 25th Day of the 9th Month through the 1st Day of the 10th Month on Zadok Calendar
Overview
The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah or Chanukkah) is also known as the Festival of Lights.
Traditionally, the Feast of Dedication is held from the 25th day of the 9th month through the 3rd day of the 10th month on Hillel II Calendar, lasting 8 days.
On the Zadok Calendar, the Feast of Dedication is held from the 25th day of the 9th month through the 1st day of the 10th month.
The Feast of Dedication is not a mo’edim (appointed time) according to Torah, but is a traditional Jewish holy day.
Feast of Dedication in the Books of the Maccabees
1 Maccabees 4:36 Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary.
1 Maccabees 4:37 Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion.
1 Maccabees 4:38 And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests’ chambers pulled down;
1 Maccabees 4:39 They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads,
1 Maccabees 4:40 And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
1 Maccabees 4:41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.
1 Maccabees 4:42 So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law:
1 Maccabees 4:43 Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
1 Maccabees 4:44 And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;
1 Maccabees 4:45 They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
1 Maccabees 4:46 And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.
1 Maccabees 4:47 Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
1 Maccabees 4:48 And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
1 Maccabees 4:49 They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table.
1 Maccabees 4:50 And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple.
1 Maccabees 4:51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
1 Maccabees 4:52 Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning,
1 Maccabees 4:53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
1 Maccabees 4:54 Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
1 Maccabees 4:55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.
1 Maccabees 4:56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
1 Maccabees 4:57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
1 Maccabees 4:58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
1 Maccabees 4:59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.
2 Maccabees 10:1 Now Maccabeus and his company, the Lord guiding them, recovered the temple and the city:
2 Maccabees 10:2 But the altars which the heathen had built in the open street, and also the chapels, they pulled down.
2 Maccabees 10:3 And having cleansed the temple they made another altar, and striking stones they took fire out of them, and offered a sacrifice after two years, and set forth incense, and lights, and shewbread.
2 Maccabees 10:4 When that was done, they fell flat down, and besought the Lord that they might come no more into such troubles; but if they sinned any more against him, that he himself would chasten them with mercy, and that they might not be delivered unto the blasphemous and barbarous nations.
2 Maccabees 10:5 Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, even the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Casleu.
2 Maccabees 10:6 And they kept the eight days with gladness, as in the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long afore they had held the feast of the tabernacles, when as they wandered in the mountains and dens like beasts.
2 Maccabees 10:7 Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs, and palms also, and sang psalms unto him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
2 Maccabees 10:8 They ordained also by a common statute and decree, That every year those days should be kept of the whole nation of the Jews.
2 Maccabees 10:9 And this was the end of Antiochus, called Epiphanes.
Jewish Traditions
NOTE: Some of the Jewish traditions associated with the Hanukkah are steeped in Kabbalah beliefs. More information on the Kabbalah aspects of Hanukkah can be found here at Chabad.org.
8 Nights of Celebration
Jewish people begin celebrating the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) starting at sundown when the 25th day of the 9th month begins, and continue to celebrate on through sundown on the 3rd day of the 10th month.
Saying Concerning the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah)
The Jewish people have a traditional way of summarizing both Purim and Hanukkah. Their saying goes, “They tried to kill us. God saved us. Let’s eat.”
Interestingly, after Yeshua was crucified (they tried to kill Him) and then resurrected (YHVH saved Him), He appeared before the disciples and asked if they had any food to eat.
- Luke 24:36 And as they were telling these things, Yahshua Himself stood in their midst, and said to them, Peace to you!
- Luke 24:37 But being terrified, and being filled with fear, they thought they saw a ghost.
- Luke 24:38 And He said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do doubts come up in your hearts.
- Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that I am He? Feel Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me having.
- Luke 24:40 And saying this, He showed them His hands and feet.
- Luke 24:41 But yet they not believing from the joy, and marveling, He said to them, Have you any food here?
- Luke 24:42 And they handed a broiled part of a fish to Him, and from a honeycomb.
- Luke 24:43 And taking these before them, He ate.
The Festival of Lights
Jewish legend claims that when Judah Maccabeus and his men searched for oil in the Temple to light the menorah (in order to rededicate the Temple), they found only enough oil to burn for a single day. Even though they knew that it would take 8 days to prepare and sanctify more oil, they chose to light the menorah anyway. The legend then says that the oil lasted 8 days – long enough for them to prepare more oil to keep it lit. This legend is the backstory to Hanukkah and the reason why it is called the Festival of Lights. Whether or not the legend is actually true is unknown.
Hanukkah Prayers
During each day, the Hallel (praise) prayer and the V’Al HaNissim (special Hanukkah) prayer are added to the daily prayers. The V’Al HaNissim is also added to the grace (thanksgiving) prayers said after the daily meals.
The Hanukkiah (Chanukkiah)
The Hanukkiah (or Chanukkiah) is a 9-branched menorah that uses candles or oil. To be more in line with the legend of Hanukkah, a Hanukkiah that uses cups with olive oil and cotton wicks is generally preferred. Because of their significance, most Jewish people are encouraged to purchase the most beautiful Hanukkiah possible, with ones made of silver being the most preferred.
8 of 9 the branches represent each of the 8 days of the festival, with the 9th branch, the servant or attendant branch (the “Shamash”), being the candle (or oil cup) that is used to light the others. Then, on the 1st night, the Shamash is used to light one of the candles. On the 2nd night, 2 candles are lit by the Shamash. On the 3rd night, 3 candles… and so on until all 8 candles are lit on the 8th night.
The candles are placed in the Hanukkiah from right to left (facing the person lighting it). The 8 candles that represent the days of the festival must be placed in a straight line (not zig-zag) with some candles being higher than others. The Shamash is always placed at a height different from the other 8 candles. The candles must be long enough (or oil cups must have enough oil in them) to last at least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to 90 minutes on Friday evening. The idea is that they be able to burn until 30 minutes after nightfall.
Only the number of candles needed for that particular night are added to the Hanukkiah. They are then lit in the opposite direction from how they are placed, with the newest candle being the first one to be lit by the Shamash. Finally, the Shamash, still being lit, is placed back into its branch (it is never extinguished as it may be needed to re-light one of the other candles, should they go out).
When a weekly Sabbath occurs during Hanukkah, the Hanukkiah lights must be lit before the Shabbat candles are lit (on Friday night) and only after Shabbat ends (on Saturday night).
Each night, the following prayer is recited while holding the Shamash in your right hand, before lighting the other candles:
- Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr kha-noo-kah
- Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-ah-sah nee-sim lah-ah-voh-tay-noo bah-yah-mim hah-haym biz-mahn hah-zeh
- Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
- Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
On the 1st night of Hanukkah, this additional prayer is recited:
- Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.
- Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
The Hanukkiah can be in a window or doorway, but should be visible to people passing by and should be lit at the earliest possible opportunity each night. It is important that all members of the family participate in the ceremony of lighting the Hanukkiah. Delays should only occur if someone is awaiting the arrival of family members who wish to be present when the Hanukkiah is lit.
The Hanukkiah may be lit as long as there are people in the streets, or as long as there is another family member awake to participate – but no later than 30 minutes before dawn. If no other household member is awake and the streets are already quiet, they can light the Hanukkiah without reciting the blessing.
The Hanukkiah should not be moved or extinguished until at least 30 minutes after nightfall. If a candle (or oil) goes out during this time, the Shamash is used to re-light it. Once 30 minutes past nightfall have elapsed, the Hanukkiah may be moved or extinguished.
Dreidle
Dreidle is a gambling game played by adults and children with a 4-sided spinning top, called a dreidle. It’s roots come from being played by the Jewish people while under persecution, allowing them to share the Hanukkah story with each other without being “caught” or “found out” by their enemies.
On each side of the dreidle a Hebrew letter is written – Nun, Gimel, Hey and Shin (outside of Israel) or Peh (in Israel). The letters found on the dreidle are an acronym for “a great miracle happened there”, thus its use as a teaching and sharing tool for Hanukkah.
The game plays as follows:
- Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15).
- The game pieces can be anything, but traditionally chocolate “gelt” (coins) are used.
- At the beginning of each round, each player puts a game piece into the “pot”.
- Each player, in turn, then spins the dreidle to discover their outcome.
- If the player rolls a Nun (“nisht” or “nothing”), the player does nothing.
- If the player rolls a Gimel (“gantz” or “everything”), the player gets everything in the pot.
- If the player rolls a Hey (“halb” or “half”), the player gets half of the pot (rounded up if there is an odd amount).
- If the player rolls Shin (“shtel” or “put in”) or Peh (“put in”), the player adds a game piece to the pot.
- If the pot gets down to 1 game piece left, then everyone puts a piece in.
- If a player runs out of pieces to put in the pot, they either go out of the round or can ask for a loan from another player.
- The round ends when a player wins all the pieces.
Typical Hanukkah Traditions Include:
- Singing Hanukkah songs such as Haneirot Halalu and Maoz Tzur.
- Giving of gifts (frequently gelt).
- Eating oil-based foods such as fried potato cakes called “latkes” with applesauce or sour cream, and fried jelly donuts called “sufganiyot” (reflecting on the significance of the legend of the oil lasting 8 days).
- Eating dairy foods (in commemoration of the bravery of Yehudit, who saved the Jewish people from being starved by the Greeks).
- Some Jewish women refrain from performing household chores during the first 30 minutes that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a significant role in the Hanukah victory over the Greeks.
Special Shabbat Rules for Hanukkah
According to Jewish interpretation of Exodus 35:3…
- Exodus 35:3 You shall not kindle a fire in all your dwellings on the day of the Sabbath.
…it is forbidden to re-light any of the candles after Shabbat has begun, or to light any of them until after Shabbat has ended.
As such, on Friday afternoon, Hanukkiah candles are to be lit before the Shabbat candles are lit (at 18 minutes before the start of Shabbat).
Likewise, on Shabbat, Hanukkiah candles are not to be lit until Shabbat has ended, after the Havdelah service (blessing recited over wine that concludes the Shabbat observance).
More details on the Jewish traditions surrounding the Hanukkah can be found here at Chabad.org.