Jewish households that remember Hanukkah have particular traditions. I like the phrase “custom” as a result of it’s an accounting of lengthy, established customs and beliefs handed on by means of one’s household from era to era.
Usually, one’s perception system and core values are primarily based on household teachings. Our dad and mom and grandparents go their knowledge all the way down to us, and we, in flip, go a mixture of multigenerational traditions on to our youngsters and grandchildren.
My family’s Hanukkah traditions stem from the teachings of my paternal grandfather, Paul Lang. Although a person of few phrases his affect was mighty. From the time I used to be a bit of woman till I grew to become a spouse and mom, each time I walked contained in the chapel of the synagogue, named after my household, I knew my grandfather, a Talmud scholar, could be sitting within the first seat within the second row. I knew he would learn passages from the Torah and I knew I’d be proud.
Through the years of spending conventional holidays with my household I grew to comprehend the significance of custom. Hanukkah was one among my favorites as a result of the theme allowed me to really feel an ideal connection and satisfaction to my Jewish heritage.
The Story of Hanukkah
Over twenty-one hundred years in the past, the land of Israel was dominated by Syrian Greeks who sought to institute their Greek tradition on the folks of Israel. When Jews have been prohibited from training their very own faith, a small band of devoted Jews, the Maccabees, defeated one of many mightiest armies on earth and drove the Greeks from the land. In the end, they reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and re-dedicated it to the service of God. The Wailing Wall within the previous metropolis of Jerusalem is the bodily stays of that temple at present.
By driving out their oppressors and rededicating the Temple, they preserved Jewish traditions and id at a time when each have been beneath menace. Hanukkah celebrates this outstanding achievement and the dedication to maintaining one’s religion alive even within the face of overwhelming odds.
This miracle grew to become the non secular counterpart to the army victory. The Maccabees’ triumph confirmed the energy and dedication of the Jewish folks, whereas the menorah’s lasting gentle symbolized hope, religion, and God’s presence throughout tough instances.
Click on right here to look at Mort Klein of ZOA Discusses the Actual That means of Hanukkah.
The Gentle That Lives On
As a proud Jewish girl, I can envision the victory and the miracle. The victory represents the bodily survival of the Jewish folks and the enduring gentle of their traditions. As a bit of woman, lighting the menorah, sharing acquainted meals with my giant household, and retelling the Hanukkah story strengthened my religion.
My grandfather handed his love of Judaism and Jewish traditions on to me. I’ve handed them on to my daughters and grandchildren. For that motive alone, I like the phrase “custom.” It’s an accounting of the customs and beliefs my household depends upon to this present day.
We use the middle candle, the Shamash, to gentle the opposite candles of the menorah.
Lighting the Menorah Across the World
Jewish households around the globe have a good time the custom of Hanukkah within the month of December. The phrase “Hanukkah” in Hebrew means “dedication.” Hanukkah is a joyous and spiritual vacation that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Through the celebration of Hanukkah, with dad and mom, grandparents and youngsters in tow, households gentle their menorahs each evening when the celebs seem. A menorah is a big candelabra that holds 9 candles. The central candle, or Shamash, sits both barely larger or decrease than the opposite eight candles. For eight nights in a row, the Shamash is used to ignite an extra candle. By the final evening of Hanukkah, each candle is aglow.
Once we gentle our candle we are saying the next blessing:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments (the ten commandments) and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who carried out miracles for our forefathers in these days, right now.
At present’s Hanukkah Reflections
As I sit in my rental within the sky, I’m interested by how deeply my soul and my values dictate my life. I’ll all the time be a small-town Jewish woman from Kankakee by the Sea. You may take the woman out of the small city, however you may by no means take the small city out of the woman. My Final Concierge loves this about me. And after residing many a long time, I consider I’m fortunate to be that small-town woman.
Why? As a result of while you combine small-town values with a sophisticated life, one which I’ve been lucky to dwell, you by no means lose your grounding or your soulfulness. If I have been requested to outline myself with one phrase, I’d say this: I’m a grounded girl.
A Grounded Lady
A grounded girl loves the sunshine by staying firmly related to who she is, whereas nonetheless reaching for what conjures up her. She understands her values, her boundaries, and her goal. She is aware of the place she comes from, and he or she honors it. At Hanukkah, a grounded girl reveals her love of sunshine by honoring her historical past, her resilience, and her id. In loving the Hanukkah gentle, she stays rooted and happy with her Jewish heritage.
It’s with this grounding, and this satisfaction, that I’m honored to share one thing very significant with you. I’ve been requested to gentle one of many Hanukkah candles on the massive menorah at Daley Plaza in Chicago on Tuesday night, December 16. There will likely be a gathering of Chicagoans and dignitaries, and I’ll proudly symbolize the Zionist Group of America as a Nationwide Board Member and the founding father of its new Ladies’s Management Division.
Hanukkah Gentle
As I look out my window on the solar setting over Lake Michigan, I as soon as once more discover myself returning to a phrase I deeply love: gentle. Gentle is commonly spoken of as one thing that overcomes darkness. In Judaism, gentle is greater than that. It’s a image of religion, hope, and dedication. It’s a reminder that even in moments of hardship, there may be all the time a path ahead.
I lately obtained an e mail that touched me so deeply that I shared it with my youngsters and grandchildren. And now, I really feel compelled to share it with you. Alana Newhouse writes merely and powerfully:
Struggle For the Gentle: You’re right here, now, for a motive.
Typically, all of us wish to run away from the challenges of life. The Torah (Bible), as interpreted by means of Chassidic Judaism, affords us knowledge in these moments. Newhouse cites an inspiring educating shared by Chabad Rabbi Mendel Mintz of Aspen. It speaks to a sample we see time and again in Jewish historical past:
There’s a sample in Judaism/Torah. A sample we don’t all the time need however we all the time want.
When G-d wished to make David a king… He didn’t give him a crown. He gave him Goliath.
When He wished to make Joseph a pacesetter… He didn’t give him a palace. He despatched him to jail.
When G-d wished to raise Moses – he didn’t give him a stage, he gave him a long time within the wilderness.
When G-d wished to make Esther a queen, (within the Purim story), he gave her a disaster and Haman.
When G-d wished the Temple restored – he didn’t give the Maccabees a simple path – he despatched them the Greek military.Again and again, we see:
G-d doesn’t elevate folks by means of ease, slightly by means of battle. As a result of it’s not regardless of the problem that we rise. It’s by means of it. That’s how the human spirit is made and rises larger. We don’t know what the brand new yr will deliver. However we do know this:
We weren’t born for consolation.
We have been born for which means.We weren’t positioned on this world to cover from its issues — we have been created to light up and clear up them. And if, this yr, you end up strolling by means of a wilderness… or standing earlier than your personal private or skilled Goliath… Keep in mind: that’s not a detour out of your future. That’s your calling.
Struggle for the Gentle. You’re right here, now, for a motive.
Joyous Hanukkah Traditions
The joyous a part of the Hanukkah custom can be fantastic. I like this time of household togetherness, sharing of enjoyable items, and singing of songs. Many households play games-like the normal ‘dreidel’ or high recreation, gentle the Chanukah candles, and eat scrumptious meals cooked in ‘oil.’ Darling, hold studying. Under, I’ve included my recipe for one among my favourite conventional Hanukkah recipes, a potato latke!
This yr, on the primary evening of Hanukkah, our large and fantastic, blended household will likely be separated by 1000’s of miles. However none of us will likely be alone: Whereas Shelly and I will likely be lighting our menorah, we are able to take consolation in the truth that the Arizona, Indiana, Texas, New York, Idaho, and different California clans will gentle their menorahs with their households tonight as nicely.
Through the celebration of Hanukkah, I can’t assist however recall the pleased recollections with my grandfather and enormous household, celebrating Hanukkah in Kankakee by the Sea, on the Resort Kankakee, lighting the normal menorah and consuming potato latkes.
Creating (and consuming!) scrumptious meals is one among my favourite Hanukkah traditions. Attempt your hand at making my Latke recipe!
Scrumptious Hanukkah Traditions
A latke is a potato pancake that’s fried to a nice crisp and served with applesauce and bitter cream. It’s really a pleasant and scrumptious Hanukkah custom.
First, just a few professional tricks to making this conventional Hanukkah meals:
- A starchy potato=a crispy latke. Purchase russet potatoes.
- Use a field grater to grate the potato and onions, NOT a Cuisinart.
- As you grate the potato, place it instantly in a big bowl of ice water to maintain the potato from turning brown.
- After grating, squeeze the water utterly out of the potatoes. That is key!
- Use solely egg whites, not egg yolks. Yolks make the latke cakey in texture.
- Don’t use cheap oil. Olive oil is one of the best and offers a greater taste.
- Do a sizzle take a look at in your pan with a half-inch of oil. When a shred of potato instantly sizzles, the pan is prepared for cooking.
- Don’t freeze or refrigerate latkes.
- In the event you make them within the morning, place the latkes in a baking pan in your oven on excessive for just a few moments to warmth them.
- Be ready!
My Particular Latke Recipe
Darlings, Pleased Hanukkah! This recipe is for everybody to take pleasure in, whether or not your loved ones custom contains the celebration of Hanukkah, or not. I want all my readers and your households a really pleased Hanukkah! nd, to my grandfather, Paul Lang, who I consider appears down on me from heaven- I like you and thanks to your knowledge. Amen
What particular Hanukkah traditions does your loved ones embrace in your celebrations? I’d love to listen to about it!
