CHANUKAH HANDBOOK

CHABAD OF CONTRA COSTA Foreword

Chanukah, the eight-day holiday of light and joy, begins this year on Thursday night, December 10. This beloved festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materialism.

In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews drove the Greeks from the Land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in , and rededicated it to the service of G-d. A single cruse of pure olive oil, enough to kindle the Temple’s Menorah for one day, burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. We commemorate these miracles by kindling our own menorahs for eight nights, infusing our homes with the warmth of Judaism and our hearts with the emotion of joy.

As you prepare to celebrate Chanukah this year, this handbook presents you with some of the most noteworthy teachings about this holiday, along with some practical guidance, geared to delight, inform, and inspire, and thus enhance your holiday experience.

The symbol of Chanukah will forever be the flame, one that refuses to remain static but expands and grows from one night to the next. As you peruse the contents of this booklet, think about how you can infuse your environment with additional light and warmth, two of the flame’s most notable features.

A famous aphorism says that “perfection is the enemy of good.” The steady increase in light over the course of Chanukah reminds us that complacency is the greatest foe of good. While we seek not perfection, we do seek a continuous surge from good to better, and then better yet.

With wishes for a holiday of warmth, joy, and health,

Rabbi Dovber & Chaya Berkowitz Contents

THE STORY OF CHANUKAH 4 The Story of Chanukah and the Hasmoneans 4

Chanukah in the Sources 6

Life Lessons from Chanukah 8

Extraordinary Menorahs 10

Menorah Lighting Tutorial 12

EXTRAORDINARY Chanukah Customs 14 MENORAHS 10 Landmark Menorahs 16

Chanukah Recipes 17

8 Warm & Interesting Facts about Chanukah 18

CHANUKAH RECIPES CUSTOMS 17 14 THE STORY OF

Chanukah and the Hasmoneans

140 BCE The Hasmonean revolt. 301 BCE -faithful Jews Beginning of the influence of Hellenic revolt against the Greek culture in the Land of Israel. Following suppression of Judaism the death of Alexander the Great, his and their desecration of the empire is split among his generals, with Holy Temple. The rebellion the Land of Israel falling under the rule is led by Matityahu the of the Ptolemaic kings of Egypt. The Hasmonean and his five Ptolemaic rulers build Greek-style sons: Yochanan, Shimon, cities throughout their realm, and build 198 BCE Yehudah, Elazar, and theaters, sports arenas, and temples. The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) Yonatan. Many Jewish “Hellenists” abandon are victorious in their wars traditional Judaism in a desire to against the Egyptian-Greeks, assimilate into the pagan culture of the and the Land of Israel is annexed Greek rulers of the Land. to the .

300 290 280 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200 190 180 170 160

221-246 BCE 145 BCE During the reign of Ptolemy Loss of religious freedom. The Seleucid ruler III, The Jewish Hellenists gain Antiochus Epiphanes (referred to in Jewish power and influence, using sources as “Antiochus the Wicked”) issues decrees bribes to usurp the office compelling all inhabitants of his empire to worship the of the High Priest and other Greek gods and adopt the Greek way of life. This is in positions of authority. contrast to previous Greek rulers, who allowed each nation to follow its own religion and culture. The Jews are singled out and targeted by Antiochus's decrees. The mitzvot of circumcision, Shabbat and the Jewish festivals, and the study of Torah are forbidden on the pain of death, and Jews are forced to bring offerings 139 BCE to pagan gods. A pagan idol is placed in the Holy Matityahu dies. The revolt , and swine and other impure continues under the leadership animals are offered to it there. of his son, Yehudah the Maccabee. Maccabee means “hammer,” and the word is also an acronym for the phrase Mi kamocha ba’elim Hashem— “Who is like You among the Happy Chanukah! mighty, O G-d”—the banner under which Yehudah led his troops into battle.

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4 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 139 BCE The miracle of Chanukah. Though vastly outnumbered, the small Maccabean army drives the Greeks from Jerusalem, liberates the Holy Temple, and rededicates it to the service of G-d. Miraculously, a small cruse of olive oil, sufficient to light seven lamps of the Temple’s menorah for one day, burns for eight days, until new ritually pure oil can be prepared. Jewish independence is established in the Holy Land for the first time since the conquest of the Land by the Babylonians 138 BCE 405 years earlier. In the effort to reassert their dominance over Judea, the Seleucids attack with an army of 61 BCE 100,000 foot soldiers, 20,000 cavalry, and 32 Civil War. The Hasmonean brothers war elephants. Judah’s brother Elazar dies a Aristobulus and Hyrkanos fight over the hero’s death when dashes under the lead crown, with each enlisting the aid of the war elephant and kills it by driving his spear Romans against the other. This event marks from underneath its belly. In the ensuing havoc, the beginning of Roman influence in the the army disperses in disarray from before the Land of Israel and of the Land’s eventual Jewish fighters. subjugation to Roman rule. 133 BCE Yehudah the Maccabee is killed in battle with the Greeks. His brother Yonatan replaces him as leader.

BCE

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127 BCE 36 BCE After Yonatan’s passing, the End of the Hasmonean 64-73 BCE last surviving Maccabee dynasty. The reign of the Reign of Shlomzion. A high point of the brother, Shimon, is crowned Hasmonean kings lasts for Hasmonean Era is the nine-year reign of as king. Shimon also assumes 102 years, until the Edomite Queen Salome Alexandra, also known as the office of High Priest. usurper Herod slaughters “Shlomzion.” She restores the authority the entire royal family of the Torah sages, and the land knows and is installed as king of 138 BCE peace and prosperity in her time. Judea by the Romans. The eight-day festival of Chanukah is instituted to commemorate the miraculous military victory and the miracle of the oil of the previous year.

Happy Chanukah!

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CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 5 THE START OF THE C H A HASMONEAN REVOLT N U K I 2:1–30

IN THE In those days, there was a Priest in Israel, and his A H SOURCES name was Matityahu the son of Yochanan. . . . He dwelt in Modi’in, and he had five sons: Yochanan, Shimon, Yehudah the Maccabee, Elazar, and Yonatan. . . . It came to pass that the king’s officers came to Modi’in to forcefully remove the people from G-d’s Torah and compel them to worship idols and offer sacrifices to them. Many of the people of Israel joined with them, but Matityahu and his sons held strong. ANTIOCHUS’S DECREES The king’s official said to Matityahu, “See, you are a leader and an honored person amongst I Maccabees 1:41–61 your people, and you have many sons and a large family. Now, you come first to carry out the king’s command, as was done in all the provinces of King Antiochus . . . sent letters by the hands of his kingdom, and by all the people of Judah and messengers to all the cities of Judah; that they should Jerusalem, and you and your sons will find favor follow the law of the Gentile nations. And they should in the king’s eyes, and gold and silver and precious forbid burnt-offerings, sacrifices, and atonements gifts will be awarded to you.” to be made in the Temple of G-d. And they should Matityahu raised his voice and said, “If indeed profane the Sabbath and the festival days. And nation after nation of the king’s subjects have they should pollute the Sanctuary and the priests. turned away from their gods and obeyed his decree to betray the religion of their ancestors, it shall not He commanded altars to be built, and temples, and be so with me and my family! . . . It is unthinkable for idols, and swine’s flesh to be offered. . . . And that us to transgress the commandments of our G-d they should leave their children uncircumcised and and to violate His covenant with us. . . .” make their souls abominable with all manners of As he concluded speaking, a Jewish man uncleanness and profanation, to the end that they approached the altar, in sight of all those standing should forget the Torah and should change all the there, to offer a sacrifice in accordance with the ordinances of G-d. . . . They drove the Israelites into king’s command. secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for Matityahu saw this and his heart burned with zeal. succor. . . . They cut to pieces and burned with fire . . . He ran toward the man and slew him near the the books of the law of G-d. All who were discovered altar. Also the king’s official he slayed, and he possessing a copy of the covenant or practicing the destroyed the altar. . . . He then ran through the Torah, the king’s decree sentenced them to death. . . . city, calling out with a great voice, “Whoever fears for G-d’s Torah and holds fast to His covenant— Women who had had their children circumcised were follow me!” And all the people whom the Torah of put to death according to the edict, their babies G-d had touched their hearts followed Matityahu, hanged around their necks; and the members of and they fled to the wilderness. . . . their household and those who had performed the circumcision were executed with them.

6 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK WHAT IS CHANUKAH? Talmud, Shabbat 21b

hat is Chanukah? The sages taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev W begin the eight days of Chanukah, on which a lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein. And when the prevailed against and defeated them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest. It contained sufficient oil for one day's lighting only; yet a miracle occurred, and they lit [the menorah] with it for eight days. The following year, they established these days as festival days with the recitation of and thanksgiving.

“Al Hanisim” prayer recited on Chanukah על הנסים AL HANISIM

In the days of Matityahu the son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean and his sons, the wicked Hellenic government rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and to violate the decrees of Your will. But You, in Your abounding mercies, stood by them in the time of their distress. You waged their battles, defended their rights, and avenged the wrong done to them. You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, “The many the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and wanton sinners into the hands into the hands of those who of the few” occupy themselves with Your Torah. You made a great and holy name for Yourself in Your world and effected a great deliverance and redemption for Your people Israel to this very day. Then Your children entered the shrine of Your House, cleansed Your Temple, purified Your Sanctuary, and kindled lights in Your holy courtyards; and they instituted these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great name.

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 7 The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitschak Schneersohn, once told his Chasidim, “We should listen to what the Chanukah lights are telling us.” Below are a number of life lessons communicated by the Chanukah lights. Let us listen and learn . . .

UNDIMINISHING LIGHT

Midrash “A is a candle” (Proverbs 6:23).

When we are conflicted, wishing to perform a mitzvah but dreading its cost in time or resources, we should recall that the Torah compares a mitzvah to a candle. A single candle can ignite a thousand others while its own light remains undiminished. Similarly, when we perform good deeds, we will not find ourselves diminished in any way.

TWO KINDS OF FIRE ASCENDING LIGHTS

Life Lessons from Chanukah from Lessons Life Rabbi Yitschak Meir of Ger (1799–1866) Rabbi Menachem Mendel Fire has two functions: it consumes, and it Schneerson (1902–1994) illuminates. Our service of G-d also includes these On the first night of Chanukah we kindle two tasks: to vanquish evil, and to create goodness. one flame, on the second night we kindle two flames, and so on till the eighth day, Therein lies the deeper significance of the debate when all eight lights of the Chanukah between the sages of Shamai and the sages of Hillel. menorah are lit. The Shamai school sees the primary function of the Chanukah flames as the elimination of evil. There is a lesson here on how we should live our lives not just on Chanukah, but throughout the year. We should never Thus, the measure today’s efforts by yesterday’s number of criteria; we should never limit tomorrow’s flames decreases aspirations by today’s accomplishments. each night, signifying On the first day, lighting a single flame the progressive fulfills the mitzvah of kindling the elimination of the negative. Chanukah lights in the most optimal way; The Hillel school places the but on the second day, two lights represent emphasis on doing good, reflected the new ideal. And on the following day, in the increase in the number of that ideal must again be surpassed. lights each night of the festival. We should always strive for In practice, we follow the approach of more, never sufficing Hillel. Our primary objective is to do acts of with yesterday’s goodness. When more goodness is created, standards of the negative is automatically vanquished. perfection.

8 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK JUDAISM MADE MANIFEST

Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis (1936–2016) Just as the Chanukah menorah is placed by the window to bring light unto the world, so should a Jew manifest one’s Judaism by doing good deeds, observing the Torah, and standing CHANGING THE WORLD up for the Jewish State, thusly bringing light to Rabbi Lord Jonathan the world. Even the Sacks (1948–2020) LIVING WITH SYNTHESIS smallest deed can It was, as we say in our prayers, a victory of the few over the many, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik make a difference, (1903–1993) just as a single the weak over the strong. It’s candle can summed up in a wonderful line The Jews throughout history dispel much from the prophet Zechariah (4:6): have imitated Joseph. We also darkness. “Not by might nor by strength but have two visions. The Jew is a by My spirit, says the L-rd.” The good merchant and he is skillful Maccabees had neither might nor in trade. Jews dreamt of sheaves, strength, neither weapons nor otherwise they could not have numbers. But they had a double survived. At the same time the portion of the Jewish spirit that Jew—the small merchant, the longs for freedom and is prepared grocer, the peddler—would come to fight for it. home for the Sabbath. I knew such people in my childhood. Never believe that a handful of dedicated people can’t The same Jew, sometimes in change the world. Inspired by rags, had another dream—not faith, they can. The Maccabees of sheaves, not of dollars and did then. So can we today. cents, of rubles and kopeks, but of something else, of a “sun, a moon, and eleven stars” (Genesis 37:9) of spiritual greatness. That synthesis is exactly what LITTLE ACT OF DEFIANCE the Hasmoneans stood for. They were excellent warriors, Deborah E. Lipstadt but the very moment they My little act of defiance. For the previous 7 nights, laid down their swords, their I lit my candles on the dining table adjacent to interests centered around the window. Tonight they are in the window, with kedushah, holiness, around candles from the freezer, so that they burn longer. the oil for the menorah that (Posted on Twitter, in response to an antisemitic attack, burned in the Temple. Chanukah, 2019)

SOURCES Living with Synthesis Days of Deliverance (New York: Ktav, 2007), p. 166. Undiminishing Light Shemot Rabah, Tetsaveh 36. Judaism Made Manifest Jewish Virtual Library, Esther Jungreis. Two Kinds of Fire Cited in Sefat Emet 5654. Changing the World www.rabbisacks.org/8-thoughts-8-nights. Ascending Lights Torat Menachem 5742:2, pp. 610–611. Little Act of Defiance @deborahlipstadt; Dec. 29, 2019.

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 9 Extraordinary Menorahs

The ways that the menorah has both persisted and changed— through thick and thin, in the land of its origin and around the world— showcase the enduring Jewish spirit: creative, adaptive, indomitable.

ON THE EASTERN FRONT Jewish soldiers in the German army, stationed in Russia, prepare for the seventh night of Chanukah, 1916, in the midst of World War I.

SMALL BUT DEFIANT On Chanukah 1932, just one month before Hitler came to power, Rachel Posner captured an indelible image: a swastika-flying building across the Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, NYC street, with a Chanukah menorah in the foreground, on the window ledge of her family home in Kiel. On the back she wrote: “Death to Judah,” so the flag STRONGHOLD says. ”Judah will live forever,” so the OF ROCK light answers. Made in the understated style that was typical of the Yemenite Jews, this sturdy soapstone menorah was carved in Israel Museum, the early 20th century. Jerusalem, by David Harris

GLAZED EARTHENWARE Israel Museum, Jerusalem, An 18th-century menorah from the by Avraham Hay ancient Jewish community of Djerba, Tunisia. Remnants of a similar menorah were unearthed within the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ruins of a medieval synagogue in the (Washington, DC), by Shulamith Posner-Mansbach town of Lorca, near Murcia, Spain.

10 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS Built in 1982, the menorah that was lit at Chabad’s main Harry S. Truman synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York, in the Library & Museum presence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, was created by Mr. Hirsch Pekkar. It is modeled after the design of the Temple menorah that was depicted by Maimonides in his commentary to the Mishnah.

FIT FOR A PRESIDENT This menorah dates back to at least 1767, when it was donated to a synagogue in Bürgel, Germany. It remained in the synagogue until 1913, when it was found broken in pieces. The Guggenheim family restored the old menorah for their personal use and brought it to the United States when they immigrated in the 1930s, where it was later acquired by the Jewish Museum in New York. When Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion visited the United States in 1951, he Zion Judaica SOUL CYCLE searched for a suitable gift to give to Harry S. Truman Who says the modern, mass- in light of his recognition and support of the State of produced menorah cannot Israel. The Jewish Museum suggested the menorah, have some character? and Ben-Gurion presented it to Truman on his This bicycle version puts birthday, May 8, 1951. a fun and quirky spin on a classic tradition.

A STORY IN LIMESTONE The candleholders of this menorah are carved in the shape of detention huts, the central shamash a guard tower, and the branches spell out the Henry Griffin / Associated Press Hebrew word Kafrisin—Cyprus. Here is a tale told, in limestone, of those Jews caught while attempting to reach Israel under the British blockade, Winner's Auctions, Jerusalem and then held in Cypriot detention Yad Vashem, camps—where this remarkable Artifacts Collection. artifact was carved. Gift of Ehud Leibner

The Jewish Museum, NYC A HEADSTRONG HEROINE Is that a woman with a sword in her MARTIAL MENORAH hand? Indeed! This extraordinary eighteenth-century silver menorah An example of “trench art,” commemorates the heroism of this Israeli menorah from the Judith, who famously assassinated a 1960s is made from a military Greek general with the help of some rifle butt, with the rifle’s bullet cheese, wine, and a very sharp blade. casings for candle holders.

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 11 Menorah Lighting Tutorial

WHAT TO LIGHT HOW TO LIGHT Use an oil or candle menorah. If you are Kindle one light (the one on the far using oil, it is preferable to use olive oil. right) on the first night of Chanukah, If you don’t have a menorah, you can two lights on the second night (the line up the correct number of candles two furthest on the right), and so or tea lights in a straight row. on—until the eighth night, when eight lights are kindled. Electric menorahs are often used as holiday decorations or to raise awareness of the festival, but they do not Use an additional light, the fulfill the mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights. shamash (“servant candle”) to kindle the lights. Then place it in a WHERE TO LIGHT designated location above or to Chanukah lights are placed on the left the side of the lights. side of a doorway (opposite the mezuzah), or in a window overlooking a public Recite the blessings, and then thoroughfare. kindle the lights. Begin with the newest light, the one farthest to the WHEN TO LIGHT left, and then proceed from left to Chanukah 2020 begins on the evening right. After kindling the menorah, of Thursday, December 10. Some it is customary to chant or sing communities light the candles at sunset Hanerot Halalu. while others wait for nightfall (approx.

20–30 minutes after sunset). In either 1 1 2 case, the oil should be sufficient (or the candles large

enough) to burn for 30 minutes after nightfall. 1ST NIGHT 2ND NIGHT THU, DEC 10 FRI, DEC 11

One who is unable to kindle the lights in the beginning 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 of the evening can do so later at night.

3RD NIGHT 4TH NIGHT SAT, DEC 12 SUN, DEC 13 On the second night of Chanukah, Friday,

December 11, the lights must be lit before sunset, 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 prior to the onset of Shabbat. We kindle the

menorah before lighting the Shabbat candles. 5TH NIGHT 6TH NIGHT MON, DEC 14 TUE, DEC 15

On the third night of Chanukah, Saturday night, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 December 12, the Chanukah candles can be lit only

after the Shabbat ends at nightfall. 7 TH NIGHT 8TH NIGHT WED, DEC 16 THU, DEC 17

12 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK On the first night, or if this is the first time you are kindling the Chanukah lights this year, recite all three blessings. On all other nights, recite the first two blessings only. (There are a few variations in the text and pronunciation of these blessings. The following is the Chabad custom.)

בָּרּוְך אַתָּה אַ דֹ-נָי, אֶ ֹל-הֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם אֲשֶׁ ר BLESSING 1 קִדְשָׁנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו, וְצִוָּנּו לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה. Baruch atah Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha’olam, asher kidshanu Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, bemitsvotav vetsivanu Who has sanctified us with His commandments, lehadlik ner Chanukah. and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light. The Blessings

בָּרּוְך אַתָּה אַ דֹ-נָי, אֶ ֹל-הֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָ ם, BLESSING 2 שֶׁעָשָ ֹה נִסִים לַאֲבֹותֵינּו, בַּיָמִים הָהֵם בִּזְמַן הַזֶה. Baruch atah Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha’olam, she’asa Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the nisim laavotenu, bayamim Universe, Who performed miracles for our hahem bizman hazeh. forefathers in those days, at this time.

בָּרּוְך אַתָּה אַ דֹ-נָי, אֶ ֹל-הֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָ ם, BLESSING 3 שֶׁהֶחֱיָנּו וְקִיְמָנּו וְהִגִיעָנּו לִזְמַן הַזֶה. Baruch atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu melech ha’olam, Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the shehecheyanu, veki’yemanu, Universe, Who has granted us life, sustained vehigi’anu lizman hazeh. us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

HANEROT HALALU

הַנֵרֹות הַלָלּו אָנּו מַדְלִיקִ ין, We kindle these lights, to commemorate עַל הַּתְ ׁשּועֹות, וְעַל הַנִסִים, וְעַ ל the saving acts, miracles, and wonders that הַנִפְלָאֹות,ׁשֶעָׂשִיתָ לַאֲבֹותֵינּו ּבַיָמִ ים You have performed for our ancestors, in those days at this time, through Your holy הָהֵם ּבִזְמַןהַזֶה, עַל יְדֵיּכהֲנֶיָך Kohanim. Throughout the eight days of הַקְדֹוׁשִ ים. וְכָל ׁשְמֹונַת יְמֵי חֲנֻּכָ ה, Chanukah, these lights are sacred. And we are הַנֵרֹות הַלָ לּוקֹדֶׁש הֵם, וְאֵין לָנּורְ ׁשּות not permitted to make use of them, but only לְהִׁשְּתַמֵׁש ּבָהֶן, אֶלָאלִרְאֹותָם ּבִלְבָ ד, to look at them—in order to offer thanks and ּכְדֵי לְהֹודֹות ּולְהַלֵל לְׁשִמְָך הַגָדֹול, ,praise to Your great name for Your miracles עַל נִסֶ יָך וְעַ ל נִפְלְאֹותֶ יָך וְעַ ליְׁשּועֹותֶ יָך. .for Your wonders, and for Your salvations

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 13 In addition to lighting the menorah at home, Jewish communities have adopted a rich variety of customs in honor of the holiday, each with its own unique symbolism and meaning.

FOOD MADE WITH OIL DAIRY FOODS The custom to consume foods with oil, Judith, a Jewish woman of commemorating the miracle of the menorah oil, great valor, managed to single- goes back many centuries. An eighteenth-century handedly neutralize an army rabbi in Morocco testifies that he saw a manuscript that threatened to hurt her written by Rabbi Maimon (born ca. 1110 CE), father people. After gaining access to of Maimonides, noting the importance of consuming an enemy commander’s quarters

Chanukah Customs Chanukah “sufganim,” meaning fried desserts, on Chanukah. under the pretense of friendship, From here we have the widely-observed custom she served him cheese, which of eating donuts on the holiday today. Another rendered him thirsty and eager beloved holiday tradition, rooted in the Jewish to drink her wine. Once he communities of Central and Eastern Europe and was inebriated and had fallen further popularized with their mass immigration to asleep, she killed him. A number the United States, is to eat fried potato . One of sources place this story in of the earliest American Jewish cookbooks, Aunt the context of Chanukah. To Babette’s Cookbook: Foreign and Domestic Recipes for the commemorate this victory and Household, published in Cincinnati Judith’s courage, we consume in 1889, includes a recipe. dairy foods on Chanukah.

ILLUSTRATION BY ANNITA SOBLE

14 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK DREIDEL MEGILAH A number of seventeenth-century sources There was once a common custom to read a indicate that European Jews would play special megilah in the synagogue recounting the games involving dice on Chanukah. In story of Chanukah. Called Megilat Antiochus or time, the dreidel, a squared spinning toy, Megilat Beit Chashmona’i, the text of this megilah, became the norm, with the letters , written in Aramaic, is quite ancient, with some , hei, and written on its four attributing its authorship to the students of Hillel sides. Rabbi Yitschak of Radvil (1751–1835) and Shamai, who lived during the first century writes that in his day, it was widely CE. This custom is still observed today by some understood that these letters were an Jews with roots in the Middle East. Others suffice a great miracle with a brief text that is inserted into the Amidah“ ,נס גדול היה שם acronym for occurred there”—the Chanukah miracles and Grace after Meals. that transpired in the Land of Israel. A famous book on Jewish customs, published in 1930, proposes that when the Syrian- Greeks forbade the Jews from teaching PUBLIC LIGHTING Torah, their children would continue The obligation to kindle the menorah pertains to to study Torah in secret, at great the home. It is also customary, however, to light risk, by pretending to simply be the menorah in the synagogue each evening of gathering to play dice. Chanukah. This practice began when repressive regimes made it difficult for Jews to light the candles outside of their homes. Unable to publicize the miracle from home, Jews began kindling the CHANUKAH GELT menorah at the synagogue (in addition to inside A notable Chanukah custom is for parents their homes) so that the entire community could (and other relatives) to give children gifts witness and participate in the commemoration—a of money. One explanation for this custom modicum of publicity. Today it is common for points to the name Chanukah itself, which in public lightings to take place in public areas. the comes from the word chinuch, “education.” After being unable SOURCES to teach their children Torah during the Food Made with Oil For the quote from Rabbi Maimon, see period of oppressive occupation, the Jews Rabbi Yehudah Toledano, Kovets Sarid Vepalit, p. 8 (Jerusalem, who lived through the Chanukah story had 1945). About latkes, see Carol Green Ungar, “The Little Known to begin the education process anew for Story Behind the Latke,” Jewish Action, Winter 2013. their children. Giving gifts of money was Dairy Foods See Otsar Hamidrashim 1, pp. 192–193; Rashi, a way to incentivize these renewed Torah Shabbat 23a; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 670:2. studies. It also carries a great message that Dreidel Regarding the seventeenth century, see Responsa Chavot Ya’ir 126. The quote from Rabbi Yitschak can be found is of particular relevance to education: On in Or Yitschak (Jerusalem 1966), p. 79. The book from 1930 its own, money satisfies none of our human is Otsar Kol Minhagei Yeshurun (Lvov, 1930) 19:4. needs; but with some effort, it can be used to Chanukah Gelt The explanation provided is from Likutei Levi Yitschak: purchase the things we require. In the same Tanach Umaamarei Chazal, p. 358, and Igrot Kodesh 28, pp. 76–77. way, G-d has given each of us vast resources Megilah See Halachot Gedolot (Berlin, 1888), vol. 3, p. 615. See further Rabbi to learn and grow—but they only become Yitschak Ratsabi, Shemen Lama'or, pp. 45ff.; Minhagei Yisrael 5, pp. 102–120. useful if we tap into them and “cash in.” Public Lighting Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 671:7; Responsa Rivash 111.

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 15 LANDMARK MENORAHS

Each evening of these eight nights, we kindle the Chanukah lights in the doorways of our houses to display and publicize the miracle. Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Chanukah 3:3

Experience has shown that the

Chanukah menorah displayed publicly Maxx Mistry during the eight days of Chanukah has been an inspiration to many, many JERUSALEM Jews and evoked in them a spirit of The Western Wall identity with their Jewish people and the Jewish way of life. To many others, it has brought a sense of pride in their Ted Eytan, MD Eytan, Ted Judaism and the realization that there is really no reason, in this free country, PARIS to hide one’s Jewishness as if it were Eiffel Tower contrary or inimical to American life and culture. On the contrary, it is fully in keeping with the American national slogan e pluribus unum and the fact that American culture has WASHINGTON, DC been enriched by the thriving ethnic The White House cultures which contributed very much, each in its own way, to American life, both materially and spiritually.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Letter dated December 9, 1981 LONDON Trafalgar Square

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Sydney Opera House

MOSCOW The Kremlin BERLIN Brandenburg Gate

16 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK RECIPES

A Twist on Tradition: A latke with a surprise in the middle is a great way to update the classic Chanukah dish. Be creative and stuff latkes with Stuffed anything you have on hand. Maybe even use it as a way to get your kids to eat SERVES 5 Latkes their veggies by adding peas, broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, or spinach. By Shifra Klein Editor In Chief www.fleishigs.com Grate the potatoes and onions using a food processor or hand grater. Squeeze potatoes dry using a kitchen towel. This 5 Idaho potatoes removes excess moisture and yields 1 Spanish onion a crispier latke. Mix eggs, kosher salt, 2 eggs beaten and pepper into mixture. Then add flour 2 tspn kosher salt (optional). 1 tspn black pepper In a large frying pan, heat ½ inch oil on medium-high heat. It is important 2 Tbsp flour (optional) to make sure that the oil is hot enough to crisp up the potatoes but not too hot that the potatoes will burn. Canola oil for frying Place a heaping spoonful of latke mix into the pan. The latkes should sizzle and crisp up quickly.

FILLING IDEAS Place filling inside. Salmon + Green Goddess Dressing Top with another spoonful of latke mix on top of filling and make sure Mushroom + Sour Cream Pulled brisket + BBQ Sauce that the potato mix on top of the filling completely covers the filling. Cheese + Marinara Sauce Flip over and fry for about a minute. Apples + Sour Cream Cinnamon Topping Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Classic Mix all dry ingredients. Add all the wet ingredients and knead into Sufganiyot a nice soft dough. (The dough should not be sticky. If it is a little too sticky, add some YIELDS 20-25 MEDIUM DONUTS flour to make it less so.) Let dough rise for an hour. Divide the dough into small/medium-sized By Racheli Shemtov donuts (around half of the size that you www.fb.com/racheliskosherkitchen eventually want them to be). Make sure they are as round as possible. Let them rise for 40–45 minutes. 4 cups Flour Heat up frying pan with oil on medium- 1 Tbsp Yeast high heat. 2 Tbsp Sugar 1 Tbsp wine or brandy The oil should not be boiling. Otherwise the outside of the donuts will burn and the inside will be raw. 1/4 cup oil 2 medium eggs Gently place donuts in the oil and flip them once they are golden. 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water Remove donuts and place on drying rack or paper towels. Add your favorite flavors (jam, chocolate, caramel). Decorate with confectioners' sugar.

CHANUKAH HANDBOOK 17 Warm & Interesting Facts about Chanukah

DREIDEL IN SPACE In December of 1993, astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman was sent on a space mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Knowing that he would be in space over Chanukah, Hoffman took along a dreidel and silver menorah. Via live satellite HILLEL communication broadcast on U.S.

television, he gave his SHAMAI dreidel a twirl in the air and wished NIGHT 1 NIGHT 8 Jews everywhere a happy Chanukah. Hoffman speculated that since his dreidel could keep on spinning in the COUNTING UP nearly frictionless air of the space The Talmud records that the shuttle, the rules of the game might academies of Hillel and Shamai need to be changed. differed as to how one ought to kindle the menorah. The academy of Hillel taught that every night of Chanukah we add another candle, A SECOND CHANCE which is the view we follow today. The construction of the Tabernacle The academy of Shamai, however, in the desert was completed on maintained that we begin with the 25th of Kislev, but G‑d told eight lights on the first night Moses to wait until the first day of and then kindle one flame fewer Nisan to inaugurate it. To “appease” every night, ending Chanukah the 25th of Kislev for having been jilted with a single flame. Interestingly, all those years before, the rededication according to the Arizal, in the of the in the days of the messianic era, we will change to Maccabees took place on that day. follow the view of Shamai.

ETYMOLOGY OF CHANUKAH Chanukah literally means “inauguration,” referring to the inauguration of a new altar that was built to replace the one in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem defiled by the Syrian-Greeks. The word is also a which in Hebrew means “they rested on the 25th,” a reference to ,(חנו-כ"ה) ,compound of chanu-kah the day in the month of Kislev when the Maccabees rested after the cessation of hostilities, and :”education“ ,(חינוך) when the holiday begins. The word is also related to the Hebrew word chinuch on Chanukah we celebrate our freedom to provide our children with a proper Jewish education, despite all of our oppressors’ attempts to hinder it.

18 CHANUKAH HANDBOOK LEGENDARY QUESTION If the Maccabees found oil sufficient for one night and it burned for eight, we only have seven miraculous nights, not eight. Why then do we celebrate Chanukah GLARING OMISSION for eight nights? This question, asked already many Although entire tractates are dedicated centuries ago, has received to holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Purim, a lot of attention in rabbinic and Passover, the Mishnah only makes literature. In 1962, Rabbi Yerachmiel Zeltzer published a a few passing references to Chanukah. compendium of one hundred answers to this question. One explanation for this omission refers Subsequent authors have published compendiums of to the fact that the Mishnah was only 150, 500, and even 1000 different answers. authored out of exigency, to ensure that the vast corpus of Jewish law should not be forgotten. Since other works at the time discussing the laws of Chanukah SOURCES (such as Megilat Taanit) were still extant, Dreidel in Space “Astronaut there was no need to include it in the Spins More Than Telescope,” Mishnah. Another explanation is that the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Mishnah was written while the Romans December 13, 1993; www. were occupying the Land of Israel. Had chabad.org/219027. it paid much attention to a holiday A Second Chance Midrash, celebrating the overthrow of a repressive Yalkut Shimoni, Melachim 184. regime in the Land of Israel, the Romans wouldn’t have been very tolerant of it. Counting Up Talmud, Shabbat 21b; Likutei Torah, Korach, p. 54c. Etymology of Chanukah Machzor Vitri 239; Shibolei CALENDAR Haleket 174; Rabbeinu Nissim, Shabbat 21a (9b); Abudraham, Most can begin on Hilchot Chanukah; Chidushei only four out of seven days of the MAIMONIDES’S DRAWING Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of week. For example, the first day of Maimonides’s original Dinov, Chanukah, Sugya 3. Rosh Hashanah cannot fall on Sunday, handwritten commentary to Glaring Omission See Chida, Wednesday, or Friday. However, the Mishnah survives to this Devarim Achadim, Derush 32; because the month preceding day, with part of the manuscript Rabbi Reuven Margolis, Yesod Chanukah (Cheshvan) can have 29 or 30 held at the Bodleian Library at Hamishnah Vaarichata, p. 22. days, Chanukah can actually begin on Oxford University, and another any day of the week except for Tuesday. part at Israel’s National Library. Calendar Shulchan Aruch, In this nearly 900-year-old text, Orach Chayim 428:1. Maimonides presented a drawing Legendary Question The of the Temple’s menorah. Of question is in Bet Yosef, particular interest is his choice Orach Chayim 470. See also S M T W T F S to draw diagonal rather than Meiri and Tosafot HaRosh, arched branches, indicating that Shabbat 21b. Rabbi Zeltzer’s he regarded this to be the proper book is titled Ner Lame’ah. shape of the Temple’s menorah. Maimonides’s Drawing www.oxfordchabad. org/3255922.

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