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A Chanukah Primer


Question:
This year on Chanukah I plan to be visiting with relatives who are newly-observant and have learned a lot about Judaism, while I have not yet learned as much and would like to be "up to speed" when it comes to observing Chanukah properly along with them. Can you tell me about the observance of Chanukah in a nutshell? Thanks in advance and hope you have a happy Chanuka!


AskTheRabbi.org answered:
That certainly sounds like a lot of fun to be with your relatives for Chanukah and I hope you all share an inspiring and enjoyable holiday together! Rabbi Mordechai Becher - one of the rabbis who answers some of questions we receive here at Gateways' "Just Ask!" - Ask the Rabbi - is a senior lecturer for Gateways and a world-renowned author and lecturer, and has compiled a wonderful "Chanukah Primer" to assist you and others in observing Chanukah properly. 
 

I hope you find it helpful and please feel welcome to write again anytime.

Happy Chanukah to you too! 

 
 
  • Chanukah begins on the evening of the 25th of Kislev and continues for eight days. (This year, 2016, the first Chanukah candle will be lit after Shabbat ends, Dec. 24th.)
  • For the entire eight days of Chanukah it is forbidden to fast or to eulogize.
  • It is permitted to work. However, it is customary for women not to work for at least the first half hour of the candles' burning, and some have the custom not to work for the entire time of burning. The types of activities that are forbidden are things like sewing and laundry etc. (Cooking is permitted.)
  • There is no obligation to have festive meals. However, it is customary to celebrate by eating special meals anyway, because of the fact that the dedication of the Temple and Altar took place during Chanukah.
  • It is customary to sing during the meals songs that thank and praise God. To sing and speak about Torah makes the meal into a seudat mitzvah, a meal of religious significance.
  • It is customary to eat milk foods because Yehudit, daughter of Yochanan the High Priest, was taken to be defiled by the Greek ruler Holofernes. She fed him cheese (to make him thirsty) and wine (to quench his thirst); and after getting him drunk she killed him. This was one of the events that sparked the Maccabean uprising. Food fried in oil is also eaten to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah. Latkes and donuts are the most common foods.
  • One should not fast during Chanukah, even on the occasion of a parent's yarhzeit (anniversary of death).
  • The festivities of Chanukah should be combined with study of Torah. Although many people have a custom to play card games on Chanukah, the Mishna Berurah states that, "He who cares for his soul should not involve himself in card games."
  • It is obligatory to light candles, and one should even borrow money to fulfill this mitzvah. If a poor person needs money for Chanukah candles the community is obligated to provide for him.
  • The minimum obligation is that every household should have one candle burning every night. It is customary to be scrupulous regarding this mitzvah: to have one candle on the first night and an additional candle every night (1-8), and for everyone in the house as well.
  • Any type of oil is acceptable for use in the menorah. However, it is best to use olive oil. The oil should not be made of a forbidden substance, nor should it be something from which it is forbidden to derive benefit.
  • The menorah should be similar to the Menorah in the Temple and hence most authorities forbid using electric lights or gas lamps.
  • The light should be clear, and the wicks should not flicker
  • Wax candles are also acceptable, providing they have a single wick.
  • All wicks are acceptable, but it is best to use cotton. The same wicks may be used over and over again.
  • It is correct to have a menorah of glass or metal if one is lighting with oil, since other substances such as clay become disgusting after one use. If one can afford it, it is correct to buy a beautiful menorah.
  • If one is using candles a menorah is not necessary.
  • If a number of people are lighting in one

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