CHANUKAH
The Holiday of Chanukah is eight days. This year begins Thursday night,
December 7th until Friday night, Dec 15th.
• Celebrate Chanukah beginning with the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev
• Best to light the menorah with (in descending order):
Olive oil
■ Use wicks that burn nicely
– Candles
– NO electric
• How many candles:
– One for the first night, two for second night, etc.
– Does NOT include shamash (help light used to light others)
• Where to light:
– At a window facing a public domain
– Must be below 20 cubits (30′-40′) high as measured from street level
– If one lives above 20 cubits, light in a doorway
■ On the left side upon entering
■ Opposite the mezuzah – to be surrounded by mitzvot
• When to light:
– At nightfall (in Los Angeles at approximately 5:30 PM) for half an hour
– If unable to light at the proper time because of:
■ Shabbat
• Light before Shabbat candle lighting with large enough candles to burn
for 1 ½ hours with an hour after nightfall.
This year, before time: 4:25 PM, LA time
■ Saturday night
• Light right after Shabbat is over.
This year, after time 5:30 PM, LA time
■ At work during the week
• Light when you get home – make sure your family is up to see
• How to set up:
– Candles should be in a straight, even row (except for the helper light)
■ Place candle to the right of you
■ Add candles moving towards left
■ Oil/candles sufficient to burn for proper amount of time
■ Place the menorah where the wind will not extinguish the flames
• How to light:
– Prepare candles for that night
– Place the menorah at the correct location
– Light shammash – helper candle
■ Make blessings (ArtScroll Siddur page 782) *see attachment
• Three blessings on the 1st night
• Two blessings on the 2nd night
– Light the newest candle first, moving left to right
– As you are lighting the rest of the candles, say Haneiros Halalu
– SING AND ENJOY!
– Do not use candles for personal use
– Can use shamash (helper light)
• Joy and Praise:
– Add the special Chanukah Al Hanisim paragraphs to:
Weekdays – Silent Devotion Amidah
■ at night on bottom of page 274
■ in the morning on bottom of pg.112 and right side of page 114
■ in the afternoon on page 244 and top of page 246
■ in the evening prayers page 274 and top of page 276 in the ArtScroll Siddur.
Shabbat – add these paragraphs Silent Devotion Amidah
■ in the evening prayer page 342 and top of page 344
■ on Shabbat morning, page 428, in the Mussaf (additional) prayer, page 470
■ in the afternoon prayer, page 520 in the ArtScroll Siddur.
Add to Grace after Meals (page 186 in ArtScroll):
– Say the entire prayer of praise Hallel (ArtScroll, page 632)
– Special Torah readings
• Meals in honor of:
o Should be interspersed with songs and praises to Hashem (G-d)
o Discuss miracles
o Eat dairy meals as well (related to Chanukah stories)
o Eat foods fried in oil – latkes, jelly donuts (as the miracle took place with oil)
• Strengthen Torah Study
Any questions? Please call me at the Jewish Learning Exchange at 323.857.0923
Have a Happy Chanukah!
Rabbi Avrohom Czapnik
THE JEWISH LEARNING EXCHANGE
512 N. LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 9003
Tel 323.857.0923 INFO@JLELA.COM WWW.JLELA.COM