Learn more about Hanukkah events happening in our community, “Eight Nights of Hanukkah (in the Bag),” and “Eight Nights of Hanukkah 2020 Card Swap” by visiting https://jewishwesternmass.org/hanukkah2020/. You can sign up to send and receive Hanukkah cards, and participate in Hanukkah celebrations with our local Jewish agencies!
A Chanukah Message Dear All, We are impressed by great moments of scientific discovery -the Eureka! Moments. The good news about the rapid development of several Covid-19 Vaccines is a good example of the following: Most advances in scientific, medical and technological fields are not made by lone geniuses coming up with great ideas like Einstein’s e=mc2 . Rather, they are achieved by painstaking efforts by many in laboratories and hospitals learning, testing and building bit by bit until all the pieces are in place and a new treatment for an illness, a new technology or even a new scientific paradigm emerges. One of the great spiritual themes of Chanukah are the numerous lessons derived from the Menorah / Chanukiah. Each night we light one additional lamp or candle which shines out into the darkness. Let us focus on one of those many lessons - the power of constant growth. The light of the candles on the eighth night is much greater than that seen on the first night. We get there by adding just one every evening and keeping alight the ones we lit the night before. We do not see a great difference every evening from the one before, but we do see a huge difference as we look back to the first day. This seemingly simple observation carries within it a profound truth- It is not the size of the steps we take that matters, but that we take them regularly and that we take them together. If we add something to our personal Judaism and our community, however small- each day, week, month, and year the amount of accomplishment and growth we can look back on in retrospect will be great. As a matter of a fact we will have accomplished far more than we will have than if we resolve to make great leaps in our Jewish lives. This is for 3 reasons: First, we usually never get around to making that leap we resolved to make on Yom Kippur (or whenever). We usually put it off until we take out the garbage or whatever, but by the time we get around to it garbage day is here again- as it comes every week. Secondly, even if we make the leap it usually does not last. Third, even if we succeed with the great leap, we still would have accomplished more by making constant small steps. In these difficult times of lockdown and isolation we can take those small steps: Call someone, attend a socially distanced service only if it is safe for you. Certainly, do join a risk-free zoom class or service. We have a great variety -something for everyone. I can do even more, just put in a request. Invite a friend. If you know someone; member or non-member, who could use a call let me know – I will reach out. May the lights of Chanukah lead us safely through the literal and figurative darkness of this winter, step by step. May G-d grant all of us physical, mental, and spiritual health, and when we emerge from this situation lets make sure that we come together and light up the community more than ever. And we will! Sincerely, (Rabbi) Shlomo Yaffe
Chanukah: History, laws, and customsSome 2100 years ago the Land of Israel came under the rule of the Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus, who issued a series of decrees designed to force his Hellenistic ideology and rituals upon the Jewish people. He outlawed the study of Torah and the observance of its commands and defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem with Greek idols. A small, vastly outnumbered band of Jews waged battle against the mighty Greek armies, and drove them out of the land. When they reclaimed the Holy Temple, on the 25th of Kislev, they wished to light the Temple’s menorah (candelabrum), only to discover that the Greeks had contaminated virtually all the oil. All that remained was one cruse of pure oil, enough to last one night—and it would take eight days to procure new, pure oil.
Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil lasted eight days and nights, and the holiday of Chanukah was established. To commemorate and publicize these miracles, we light the Chanukah menorah (also known as a chanukiah) on each of the eight nights of Chanukah. This year, we start lighting the menorah on Thursday night, December 10, 2020.
The Menorah: The basic elements of a kosher menorah are eight holders for oil or candles and an additional holder, set apart from the rest, for the shamash ("attendant") candle. The Chanukah lights can either be candle flames or oil fueled. Since the miracle of Chanukah happened with olive oil – the little cruse of oil that lasted for eight days olive oil is the ideal fuel. Cotton wicks are preferred because of the smooth flame they produce. Whenever purchasing a mitzvah article, we try to buy the most beautiful one that is within our means. So, if at all possible, go for the silver menorah. Beautifying a mitzvah is our way of expressing our appreciation to G‑d, and showing how dearly we hold His commandments.
The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line, not in a zigzag or with some lights higher than others. If it is an oil menorah, the oil cups must hold enough oil to burn for the required time – at least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to one-and-a-half hours on Friday evening (see Special Shabbat Rules below). If it is a candle menorah, the candles should be large enough to burn for the required time. Electric menorahs are great for display purposes and are a wonderful medium for publicizing the Chanukah miracle. But the Chanukah lights used to fulfill the mitzvah should be real flames fueled by wax or oil – like the flames in the Holy Temple. The Shamash: The shamash – the "attendant" candle that is used to kindle the other lights – sits a bit higher or lower than the other candles, on the ninth branch of the menorah. We leave the shamash lit is because it is forbidden to use the Chanukah lights for any practical reason.
Who Lights the Menorah: Men and women alike are obligated to participate in the menorah lighting. In many other families, all members of the household, including children, light their own menorahs. Either way, it is important for everyone to be present and involved when the Chanukah miracle is festively commemorated.
Where to Light: Light the menorah in your own home. If you are traveling out of town, set up your menorah wherever you will be staying for the night. If you will be spending the night in a Jewish home, you have the option of giving your host a dollar or so, a symbolic contribution towards the menorah expenses, and then you are covered by his/her menorah lighting - or better yet, light your own menorah too. Two candles are more powerful than one! Students who live in dormitories or their own apartments should kindle menorahs in their own rooms or in a communal dining area. In places where this is prohibited, a rabbi should be consulted as to where to kindle the menorah.
In the home, there are two preferred locations for the menorah. You can set up your menorah on a windowsill facing the street. This option should only be exercised if the window is less than thirty feet above ground-level. Or, you can set up the menorah in a central doorway. Place it on a chair or small table near the doorpost that is opposite the mezuzah. This way, when you pass through the doorway, you are surrounded by two mitzvot - the mezuzah and the menorah. Ideally, the menorah lights should be between 12 and 40 inches off the ground. Make sure the menorah is on a sturdy, fireproof surface that is out of the reach of children and not near curtains or other flammable materials
When to Light: The custom of many communities is to light the menorah shortly after sunset. In other communities, the menorah is kindled after nightfall (approximately thirty minutes after sunset). Either way, the menorah must contain enough fuel to burn for at least thirty minutes after nightfall as listed in our synagogue’s December calendar Note: The standard Chanukah candles only last approximately 30 minutes. If using those candles, then light after nightfall every night. Regardless of the custom you follow on other Chanukah nights, on Friday night the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday night it is lit after nightfall.
Special Shabbat Rules: It is forbidden to light a fire on Shabbat, which extends from sunset on Friday evening until nightfall of Saturday night. Therefore, on Friday afternoon, light the menorah before the Shabbat candles. Shabbat candles are traditionally lit eighteen minutes before sundown. Use additional oil or larger candles for the Friday night Chanukah lights, as they must remain lit until one half hour after nightfall - approximately 1½ hours after the Friday afternoon lighting time. Note: The standard 30-minute Chanukah candles cannot be used on Friday.
For the duration of Shabbat, do not relight any flames that have gone out or move the menorah, nor should you prepare the Saturday night Chanukah lights during the Day of Rest. On Saturday night, light the menorah after Shabbat ends at nightfall. Traditionally, the menorah is kindled immediately before or after the havdalah service, depending on your family custom
Ideally, you should light the menorah at the earliest possible opportunity. Only delay if you are awaiting the arrival of family members who wish to be present when the menorah is lit. The Chanukah lights may be lit as long as there are people in the streets, or as long as there is another family member awake to participate - but no later than one half hour before dawn. (If no other household member is awake and the streets are already quiet, light the menorah without reciting the blessing.)
Lighting the Menorah 1. Arrange the lights on the menorah. Ensure that there is enough oil, or that the candles are big enough, for the lights to burn until half an hour after nightfall (or, if lighting after nightfall, for one half hour). 2. Gather everyone in the house around the menorah. 3. Light the shamash candle. Then hold it in your right hand (unless you are left-handed). 4. While standing, recite the appropriate blessings found on most boxes of Chanukah candles or any prayerbook or online 5. Light the candles. Each night, light the newest (left-most) candle first and continue lighting from left to right. (We add lights to the menorah from right to left, while we light from left to right.) On the first night of Chanukah, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 (or the first time on Chanukah you perform this mitzvah), add the Shechiyanu blessing
Relish the Lights: After you finish kindling the menorah lights, place the shamash candle in its designated place on the menorah. At this point it is traditional to sing Chanukah hymns such as Haneirot Halalu and/or Maoz Tzur. Linger around the menorah for about half an hour (aside for Friday afternoon, when Shabbat preparations are in full gear). Share some Chanukah stories with your family, enjoy a draidel game and indulge in some traditional hot latkes (fried potato pancakes) or sufganiot (fried donuts)! (See Chanukah Foods.)
For the first half hour after the candles are lit (or until half an hour after nightfall, if the menorah was lit before dark) the menorah should not be transferred from its place. If a flame dies out during this time, it is best to relight it. After this time, the menorah can be moved if necessary, and there's no need to rekindle extinguished flames. Many women refrain from performing household chores during the first half hour that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a significant role in the Chanukah victory.
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