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[The candles are placed in the Menorah -- called a Chanukiah -- from right to left, then kindled from left to right, the newest one first. On Friday evening, the Chanukah menorah is lit first, then the Shabbat candles. On Saturday evening, Havdalah is made first; then the Chanukah menorah is lit.]
The lights of Chanukah are a symbol of our freedom. In a time of darkness, our ancestors had the courage to struggle for freedom: freedom to be Jews and to worship in their own way. Theirs was a victory of the weak over the strong, the few over the many, the committed over the arrogant. It was a victory for us, for had they not succeeded, we would not now be lighting the lights of Chanukah.
Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.
Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret places of the heart.
Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor's sake.
Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.(Hannah Senesh, 1921-1944)
Let the lights we kindle shine forth for the world. May they fill us with gratitude that our tradition was saved from extinction by those who valued it enough to fight for it. And may these lights illumine our lives with the love of freedom. May we, by our lives, light the way toward freedom for all.
Chanukah means "dedication." On Chanukah we rededicate ourselves to the values of our proud heritage for which our ancestors have fought and risked their lives time and time again.
We kindle these lights in memory of the dedication and courage of the Maccabees. They willingly fought for the freedom to worship God as their hearts and minds dictated. As we light these candles, we rededicate ourselves to the quest of religious freedom for all, in our land and abroad.
Tonight, we are conscious of the precious gift of family, the bond that links generation to generation in an unending chain of tradition that has seen our heritage through more than three thousand years. Let us rededicate ourselves to this worthy principle.
As the Maccabees courageously fought to preserve our tradition, let us rededicate ourselves to preserving it through knowledge and practice. Study opens our minds and fortifies us against tyranny. Knowledge leads to observance. May these Chanukah lights inspire us to seek the light of learning.
We, like the Maccabees have known fear and despair. But we have learned from the Maccabees that hope can conquer both fear and despair, and lead us to triumph over evil. As we light these lights, may our eyes be directed toward toward the loftiest visions of our faith.
Our tradition records that during the war against the Syrians, all our people contributed toward the cause of defeating the enemy. Today, our enemies are hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance and tyranny. Tonight, let us rededicate ourselves to carrying on the tradition of charity in order to bring more justice into our world.
The story of Chanukah is also the story of divisiveness among the people Israel. Today we suffer the strains of discord in our religious family. As we kindle these lights, we rededicate ourselves to working to unite all Israel in the common bond of love of Torah.
The Syrians desecrated our Temple with idols. We desecrate our lives with the idolatries of worshiping power, money and other false values. Let us rededicate ourselves this Chanukah to worshiping only God and to holding holy those repositories of God's goodness: our fellow human beings of every faith.
The story of Chanukah is a story of a war fought to secure peace. As we kindle these lights, let us rededicate ourselves to pursuing peace in our own troubled world. And may our efforts culminate in the ultimate peace our tradition promises for the world: the messianic era.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with commandments and has commanded us to light the Chanukah lights.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe for having brought miracles for our ancestors in those days at that time.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who has kept us, sustained us and allowed us to reach this joyous occasion.
MA-OZ TZUR Y'SHU-A-TI. L'CHA NA'EH L'SHA-BAY-ACH. TI-KON BET T'FI-LA-TI V'SHAM TO-DA N'ZA-BAY-ACH. L'AYT TA-CHIN MAT-BAY-ACH MI-TZAR HA-M'NA-BAY-ACH. AZ EG-MOR B'SHIR MIZ-MOR. CHA-NU-KAT HA-MIZ-BAY-ACH.
Y'VA'NIM NIK-B'TZU A-LA-Y A-ZA-Y BI-MAY HA-SH'MA-NI. U'FA-TZU CHO-MOT MIG'DA'LA-Y V'TI-M'U KOL HA-SH'MA-NIM. U-MI-NO-TAR KAN-KA-NIM NA-A-SAH NES L'SHO-SHA-NIM. B'NAY VIL-NA Y'MA SH'MO-NA KA-V'U SHIR U-R'NA-NIM.
Rock of Ages let our song ,
Praise Your saving power
You, amid the raging foes
Were our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us, but Your arm availed us
And Your word broke their sword, when our own strength failed us.Kindling new the holy lamps,
Priests approved in suffering,
Purified the nation's shrines,
Brought to God their offering.
And God's courts surrounding, hear, in joy abounding,
Happy throngs, singing songs, with a mighty sounding.Children of the Maccabees,
Whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs,
Where you may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering, that the time is nearing,
Which will see all people free, tyrants disappearing.
MI Y'MA-LAYL G'VU-ROT YIS-RA-EL? O-TAN MI YIM-NEH? CHAYN B'CHOL DOR YA-KUM HA-GI-BOR GO-AYL HA-AM. SH'MA! BA-YA-MIM HA-HAYM BAZ-MAN HA-ZEH, MA-KA-BI MO-SHI-A U-FO-DEH U-V'YA-MAY-NU KOL AM YIS-RA-EL YIT-A-CHAYD YA-KUM L'HI-GA-EL.
Who can retell the things that befell us?
Who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid.
Hark! In days of yore, in Israel's ancient land
Brave Maccabeus led the faithful band.
But now all Israel must as one arise,
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice.
CHANUKAH, CHANUKAH, CHAG YA-FE KOL KACH.
OR CHA-VIV MI-SA-VIV GIL L'YE-LED RACH.
CHANUKAH, CHANUKAH S'VI-VON SOV SOV
SOV SOV SOV, SOV SOV SOV, MA NA-IM VA-TOV.
S'VI-VON, SOV, SOV, SOV
CHANUKAH HU CHAG TOV
CHANUKAH HU CHAG TOV
S'VI-VON, SOV, SOV, SOVCHAG SIM-CHA HU LA-LAM
NES GA-DOL HA-YA SHAM
NES GA-DOL HA-YA SHAM
CHAG SIM-CHA HU LA-LAM
I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready, then dreidel I will play.CHORUS: Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready,
then dreidel I shall play.It has a lovely body, with a leg so short and thin,
And when it is all tired, it drops and then I win.
My dreidel is always playful; it loves to dance and spin.
A happy game of dreidel; come play, now let's begin.