Hanukkah Family Reading for Use at Candle Lighting The Hanukkah candles should be kindled after nightfall. The Menorah should be placed near the window for public view. On Friday night the Hanukkah candles are kindled before nightfall and before the Sabbath candles. On Saturday night, they are kindled after the conclusion of Shabbat.

Reading for the First Night forces were against Israel’s survival from its beginnings. However, over and Hanerot hallalu anakhnu madleekim (from Tractate Soferim 20:6) over again, we have witnessed the victory of the few against the many as Israel has defended itself. These lights which we kindle tell the story of freedom: freedom from Greek oppression and from the cruel persecutions our people were made to suffer We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel, keeping in mind God’s word to in the days of Antiochus. Just as the Maccabees wanted to be free to serve Joshua, who led our people into the Holy Land: “Be strong and resolute; do not God alone, may we dedicate ourselves to serve our people and humanity by be terrified or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” helping to bring freedom to all, and teaching by example our devotion to God of our salvation. Reading for the Sixth Night Mee yi-ma-layl ge’vurot Yisrael Reading for the Second Night (from the folk song; Hebrew by Menashe Ravina. English by Ben Edidin). She-assah nissim la-avoteinu (from the second candle blessing) “Who can recount the things that befell us….” What a thrilling story Hanukkah “God performed miracles for our ancestors in those days.” We look back over tells: The battle against religious persecution, the purification and rededica- the centuries in wonder! How could a small nation like ours, few in number tion of the Temple in Jerusalem, the establishment of an independent Jew- and poorly armed, with no support from any other nation, stand up to such ish state, and perhaps most important, the development of ways to preserve a formidable enemy and win? In their victory, in the continuing vitality of our Judaism and prevent us from being engulfed by the Hellenism that over- people, we see God’s miracles. whelmed every other culture in the ancient Near East. God’s miracles are with us today, too. Sometimes we are so close to them, Because the Maccabee revolt succeeded, our rabbis were able to shape a Ju- we miss them or take them for granted. The creation of the State of Israel daism that has been strong and wise enough to guide our people for two mil- in 1948, the ingathering of Jews into the land of Israel from Yemen, Ethiopia lennia. Our people and faith survived, unique among the peoples of the world. and the former Soviet Union are new miracles in our own time. By supporting May our faith be as strong as theirs and may we also marshal the ability to our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world we acknowledge that resist assimilation, using our faith to measure what is good and what God God’s miracles are fulfilled by human deeds. requires of us—justice, righteousness, humility, wisdom, steadfastness of character, a compassionate heart and a charitable hand. Reading for the Third Night Oy lee, lama yoo-ladi-tee (from Megillat Hanukkah 2:6-13) Reading for the Seventh Night “Woe is me,” Mattathias said when he saw the horrible crimes of the Greeks Ma-oz tzur yi-shu-a-tee (from the anthem of Mordecai ben Isaac) in Judea and in Jerusalem . “Why was I born to see this—the crushing of my “Mighty Rock of my salvation, praised beyond compare, You are our God and people, the destruction of the holy city—and to sit still while it is surrendered Deliverer. When the Greeks assailed us in the days of the Hasmoneans, break- to the enemies, the holy place into the hands of foreigners.” He did not just ing through the defenses, profaning the pure oil, You wrought a miracle from lament his situation, but gathered his sons and neighbors and together, they the remaining container, causing our sages to decree eight days of singing defeated their foes. When we think about how our people suffered during and rejoicing!” the last century from anti-Semitism—during the Holocaust, under Commu- nist oppression and in Arab lands—it is hard not to despair. The memory of Hanukkah reminds us that our greatest strength is the armor of the spirit. The sages understood that “not by might, nor by power, but by But let us not lose hope. Like Mattathias, let us affirm, “God is with me. I shall God’s spirit” they could prevail. not fear!” And, like Mattathias, let us be ever vigilant, ever among the defend- ers of our people. Reading for the Eighth Night Reading for the Fourth Night Kindle the taper like the steadfast star Vi-yerushalayim sh-mamah, kha-midbar hayatah Ablaze on evening’s forehead o’er the earth: (from Megillat Hanukkah 3:45) Send through the night its luster till afar “Jerusalem was deserted, like a wilderness; none of her children went in or out.” The Maccabees were shocked by the appearance of the empty city which was An eight-fold splendor shines above the earth. shattered by the pagans and the desecration of the Temple. But they gathered These words, from the poem, “The Feast of Lights,” by Emma Lazarus (1849- together and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. 1887), sets the mood for this final night of Hanukkah with its “eight-fold This Hanukkah let us demonstrate our commitment to the Jewish people as we splendor.” We proclaim the miracles of this season: the victory of the Mac- stand in solidarity with Israel. We promise that we will not desert Jerusalem . cabees, the renewal of our faith, the triumph of the spirit. In every age that followed this victory over frustration and despair, “a hero, a sage,” inspired by these achievements, has emerged to lead us into a brighter future. Reading for the Fifth Night Va-yarev kavod l’amo (from Megillat Hanukkah 3:3-9) We acknowledge God’s blessings: life, sustenance and the privilege of seeing and helping to make miracles happen in our own time, as we pledge to meet Judah Maccabee “increased his people’s glory far and wide.” Like a lion in his the challenges that still face us. courage and strength, Judah won many battles and secured victory for our peo- ple. In a world filled with evil, the Maccabees enabled our people to stand tall. May we be worthy members of our noble and glorious House of Israel. May the blessing of peace and light be upon Israel and all of God’s children, Amen. In our violent world, we Jews stand proudly because of Israel’s numerous contributions which have made the world a better place for all humanity. Vast