Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: chanukah

  • The complexities of Menorah Lighting made simple

    People have been asking me how to light the Hanukkah Menorah, or Chanukiah. Should you light from left to right or right to left? And is that perspective from the person lighting the candles or from the window where others see it? Who knew it could be so complicated! Of course, this assumes we’ve already answered other questions: do we light all the candles every night or just one additional candle each night? Do we all light the same Menorah, or does each person get to light their own? Oy!

    But the answer is that we have our opinion on the proper way for it to be done, which is as follows:

    Facing the Menorah, we light the candle for the newest night, then light the rest of the lights. Our tradition says we should say the blessing and then do the thing for which we said the blessing immediately afterward. But because there are at least two blessings (three on the first night), many of us light while the blessings are in process.

    But the most important rule of all is that we participate in the Hanukkah celebration by lighting the candles.

    So, how do you light the Menorah?

    With intention!

    Chag Urim Sameach- Happy Festival of Lights

    Chag Chanukah Sameach, Happy Hanukkah

  • Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

    As we welcome Shabbat, Chanukah is just beyond.  The Shabbat Candles of Friday will be followed by the first lights of Chanukah on Sunday eve.

    Six13 shares a delightful medley blending Wicked music with great Chanukah lyrics.  Enjoy!

    Lean into the light this season and experience the warmth and glow of our tradition.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

    Six13 shares its Jewish version of Defying Gravity.

    Wishing you Chag Urim Sameach, Shabbat Shalom and the bringing of peace.

    #BringThemHome

     

  • Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Chanukah

    Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Chanukah

    How do you light the Chanukah Menorah?

    As you can imagine, this was a discussion among the Rabbis.  The Talmud famously pits the House of Shammai against the House of Hillel, our preeminent first pair of rabbis.

    Do you light one candle the first night and increase another candle every night until all are lit on the eighth day?

    Or do you light all the candles on the First day and decrease the number until you reach one candle?

    Most of us know Hillel won that argument, so we increase the light with every passing day.

    Do you use Applesauce or Sour Cream when you eat latkes?  They never decided on this argument, so we do both! (actually, I am pretty sure they never engaged in this discussion- I am making it up)

    Do you light one Menorah for the family, or does everyone get to light their own?

     

    Did you know the Menorah we use for Chanukah is called a Chanukiah?  (it is an eight-light, plus Shamash, candelabra as distinguished from the seven-armed menorah used in the Temple).

    Do you put the menorah in your front window for the community to view?

    Why do I always seem to lack the right number of candles?

    And when I buy candles on sale after Chanukah, I can’t remember where I put them for the next year.

    Last but not least, is it Chanukah, Hannukah, or Channukah, Hanukah, Hanukkah, etc.?

    We can get all caught up in both the fun and serious questions as we determine how we want to celebrate our holiday.  But remember it is about celebrating the holiday.

    It is a time of celebration and rededication. We remember the story of Jewish victory, which instilled pride in our heritage and gave us strength and confidence as we face seemingly enormous challenges today. We spend time with our family, sharing the light’s glow, the pleasure of the food, and the fun of the games. May your Chanukah be wonderous!

    Chag Urim Sameach, Happy Hanukah!

  • Heal Us Now

    As we celebrate the holiday of light and welcome Shabbat,

    We struggle through this darkness and together we will get through.

    Yachad Nenetzach

    Chag Urim Sameach

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach

    Maoz Tzur shared by cantors from Canada.

    Chag Chanukah Sameach and

    Shabbat Shalom!

  • Chappy Chanukah

    Nissim Black and Kosha Dillz gave us the Adam Sandler remix

    Chag Urim Sameach

  • Chag Urim Sameach

    Kippalive lends their talents to this special song

  • As the candles glow, Remember Them

    Now is the time to rededicate ourselves to the cause of humanity by helping Ukrainians during this harsh winter.  The Russians are brutal, targeting civilians to bring Ukraine to it’s knees.

    Please help by donating what you can to the relief efforts.

    Donate here and receive a Kippah to proudly display, like the Menorah in the window, that you #StandWithUkraine.  www.RabbiDavidLevin.com/Kippah.

    Chag Urim Sameach!

  • Hanukkah on the Schuylkill

     

    I am honored to preside over the lighting of the Chanukah menorah in Philadelphia on December 18, 2022.

    Join us via zoom as we rededicate ourselves by the Boat Houses on the Schuykill River.

    Check the Federation website for details and to register. www.JewishPhilly.org

    Chag Urim Sameach!

     

    !חג אורים סמח!