Today we pray at synagogue, but at the time of our story, Jews prayed not only in synagogues but at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was the most holy place on Earth for Jews, who felt closest to G-d there. Today, we can still see some of the remains of this Temple in Jerusalem at the Western Wall.
Jews in Jerusalem lived under Greek rule beginning in 332 BCE. They lived, for the most part, peacefully. However, this changed in 175 BCE with the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes who felt that everyone should try to be the same; to be Greek. The Jews did not want to be Greek, but rather they wanted to remain Jews.
As a result Antiochus created laws banning Judaism. Jews were no longer allowed to observe Shabbat, Jewish Festivals, or study Torah. He also did not allow the Jews to go near their Temple, and had his soldiers defile it.
Jews lived in fear. Many attempted to follow the laws to avoid being targeted, but some refused to give up their commitment to Judaism. One group of heroes refused to have their temple taken from them.
The Maccabees, a small group of heroes fighting to defend Judaism, rose up and fought the Greek armies. They pushed them out of the Temple and rededicated it to G-d. They discovered however that only one cruse (jar) of oil remained, enough for only a single day. Nonetheless, they lit the menorah, and it burned for eight days.
Each year we celebrate this miracle as Hanukkah, to remember the Maccabees who defended the Temple, and the miracle of the oil which lasted eight days.
- Despite being a small group, the Maccabees were able to overpower the Greek armies. How might they have been able to do this? Think: The Maccabees were fighting for something very important to them, did this help?
- When the Maccabees were fighting for the Temple, what do you think they thought about? Think: Sometimes in our lives we say things like 'I can't do it' or
'I hate it', but the Maccabees were fighting for something they cared very much for. How might that have affected the things they told themselves?
- How might we be able to overcome difficulties and find strength within ourselves to do great things like the Maccabees?
What is Hanukkah, and why are lights kindled on Hanukkah?
The Sages taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them.
When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary. And when the Jews overcame them, and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the menorah for only one day.
A miracle occurred and they lit the menorah from it for eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.
- What does it mean to 'defile' something? How could the Greeks have defiled the Temple?
- Why was the miracle of the oil important to the Jews of the Temple?
How do we light the candles on the Hanukkah Menorah?
Beit Shammai says: The first day he lights eight, from here going [forward], he goes on reducing, this is to correspond to the bulls [offered on Sukkot in the Temple].
Beit Hillel says: The first day he lights one, from here going [forward], he goes on adding. The reasoning for this is that [we] raise up in holiness and [we] do not lower.
- Think about lighting a menorah today, do we follow Beit Shammai or Beit Hillel?
נֵרוֹת חֲנֻכָּה
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר של חֲנֻכָּה
First Blessing:
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.
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 shel Cha-nu-kah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh.
שהחינו:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Shehecheyanu:
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, Ruler of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
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.