Hanukkah For Beginners

Although Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is considered a minor holiday compared to Yom Kippur and Passover, this celebration of Jewish peoples' victory over their oppressors is actually a rabbinic command and a mitzvah. And its importance is increasing every year, as more and more rabbis reinterpret Hanukkah as a celebration of religious freedom. While most other Jewish holidays are either introspective or limited to family members and temple congregants, the Festival of Lights--with its menorahs glowing in the windows of Jewish homes--is the one celebration on the Jewish calendar in which we announce to the world that we're practicing Jews. For Jewish believers in G-d, it is an advertisement that miracles can exist, especially if we humans take the initiative to become partners with Him in repairing the world. For more agnostic or atheistic Jews, it is a time for family and friends to celebrate our rich heritage and our triumph over our oppressors. Either way, we Jews are lucky that most of us live in countries that allow religious pluaralism and diversity.

So if you're a non-practicing Jew who has been considering taking up some level of observance, why not start with Hanukkah? Or if you're a non-Jew who is either on the cusp of going through a conversion or who wishes to dip her toes in the waters of Jewish observance, you really cannot go wrong with the Festival of Lights as a starting point. It's moving and fun and not nearly as difficult to perfect as the rules of Pesach. Some Jews who grew up secular are afraid to try Jewish rituals that seem hard, and others feel guilty about lighting Hanukkah candles when they do not observe shabbos.

But Judaism is not an all-or-nothing faith. Every mitzvah you perform is a step on a journey. I struggle with keeping kosher, but I do not allow that struggle to guilt me into throwing out the rest of my faith. Maybe you will obtain the kind of spiritual nourishment from observing Hanukkah that will make you want to start taking on more Jewish spiritual practices.

In order to properly celebrate Hanukkah you will need a hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) with plenty of candles for all eight nights. It's best to use cotton wicks in olive oil or beeswax. Electric menorahs are fine for decorations, but not for properly observing the mitzvah. (If safety is a concern, such as in a dormitory or apartment building, consult a rabbi about alternative ways of fullfilling the mitzvah.) The shamash is the extra candle used to light the other eight candles. On the first night, you kindle one light on the right side and on the following night you add a second light to the left of the first. Go from the left to the right. The candle needs to burn at least thirty minutes after sundown.

Friday night is shabbos, so it's important to light the Hanukkah candles shortly before you light the regular Friday night shabbbat candles (which are supposed to be lit about 18 minutes before dusk.) On Saturday, light the candles after shabbos. You treat Friday and Saturday differently from the other nights in order to keep the sabbath.

Here is a video example of how you light the candles:

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2007/11The-Beliefnet-Guide-to-Hanukkah.aspx

If you don't know Hebrew, here are the Hanukkah blessings (phonetically spelled out) courtesy of chabad.org. You recite them after lighting the candles.

1. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah.

2. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-a-sa Ni-sim La-avo-te-nu Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Bi-z'man Ha-zeh.

3. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Since Judaism is a social/familial religion, how can a Jew from a non-observant family or someone considering becoming a Jew-by-choice get the full effect of Hanukkah? This question is even more pronounced if you do not live in big metropolitan cities like Chicago or New York. The good news is that even in less diverse states, many cities have synagogues, temples, and a Jewish Community Center. Most temples offer Hanukkah celebrations with parties, movie screenings, and dinners; just make sure you call and make dinner reservations.

If you are a college student, check to see if your university offers a Hillel (a college Jewish group.) Most do if there is a demand for it. If possible, it is important to celebrate with other Jews!! To get the full experience, go to both temple services and college parties. If you're thinking about becoming Jewish, you may be surprised by how mellow and fun most young Jews are compared to such a seemingly demanding faith.

If you are the head of a household, and this will be your family's first year celebrating, make sure there is as much or more emphasis on spirituality and/or culture as on gifts. Look up recipes for latkes and other Hanukkah desserts. Play games. But make sure your kids have their own menorahs so they can learn the proper way to celebrate. They should also know the words they are saying when they recite the blessings.

But like all things Jewish, the important thing is to just do it. Do not allow guilt over not obesrving other mitzvoh stop you from enjoying one of the best holidays on our calendar. Being Jewish is no longer a crime. Converting to Judaism is no longer punishable by death. We are now free to practice our faith without fearful consequences. There's nothing minor about that.

Happy Hanukkah!!