Hanukkah, a holiday commemorating the miracles surrounding the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE
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Torah versus Chukei Ritzonecha
In Al Hannisim we say:
לְהַשְׁכִּיחָם תּורָתֶךָ וּלְהַעֲבִירָם מֵחֻקֵּי רְצונֶךָ
"To make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will"
In this context what is the meaning of ...
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1answer
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Mentioning Chanukah in Al Hamichyah
When Al Hamichyah is recited on a holiday or on the sabbath, it has a short passage inserted relevant to the day. However, there's no addition to Al Hamichyah for when it's recited on Chanukah: ...
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1answer
53 views
Gemarah Shabbos -Chanukah Connection
Why is the Sugyah (discussion) of Chanukah in the Gemarah Shabbos?
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9answers
268 views
When do you say a beracha on a minhag?
When lighting Hanukkah candles in the synagogue, we say a beracha "asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav.." on a minhag. Unlike kiddush in shul, and early counting of the omer in shul, nobody would say that one ...
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3answers
201 views
9 Days of Chanukah?
All Yomim Tovim we celebrate in Chutz Laretz an extra day because of A safek, why do we not do the same for Chanukah?
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3answers
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Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol
In "Al Hanisim" we say "Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol", "in the days of Matisyahu the son of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol (=high priest)".
Who was the Kohen Godol: Matisyahu or Yochnan?
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2answers
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2answers
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Which Yochanan Kohen Godol is in Al Hanissim?
In Al Hanissim we mention a Yochanan Kohen Gadol. Since there were several kohanim gedolim named Yochanan which one is this, historically?
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1answer
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Shir Urinanim- Whats the diffrence?
In Ma'oz Tzur, it says:
וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים
בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים
What is the Difference between Shirim and Rinanim?
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3answers
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2answers
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What's the significance of “a loved Mitzvah”?
The Rambam In Hilchos Chanukah (4:12) says:
מצות נר חנוכה, מצוה חביבה היא עד מאוד
(Loose translation) The commandment of the lights of Chanukah is a
commandment that is very much adored.
...
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2answers
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Women lighting Chanukah
Even thought Chanukah is one of the Yom Toivim where we say
"Af Hen Hayu B'oso Hanes" (women were included in the miracle)
women still do not light their own candles even according to the way of ...
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2answers
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3answers
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Why not two days for all holidays?
For those outside of Israel the requirement is for two days of yom tov (and sometimes Rosh Chodesh), originally due to uncertainty and now due to tradition. But we don't do this for all holidays even ...
10
votes
2answers
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What can a Menorah be made of?
Are there any halachic limitations on materials that can be used (l'chatchila) to make a Menorah?
For example, can one fulfil the mitzva on a Menorah of ice? How about one of cans, potatoes, or ...
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0answers
70 views
Where's the eighth miracle? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Beis Yosef Question
Inspired by this question.
If the sealed jug of oil that they found had enough to light the Menorah for one day, then there were only seven ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
How do you get oil residue off of a menora?
When you light olive oil in a metal menora, some of the oil invariably finds its way into the cracks between parts of the menora. How do you remove this residue?
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votes
3answers
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When did the practice of lighting flames for Chanuka begin?
It seems clear from the G'mara that the institution of Chanuka as a holiday began the year immediately following the seminal story - with praising of God and commemorating miracles, but there is no ...
5
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3answers
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What's the best way to make wick-and-oil work for Chanukah?
I've tried lots of fancy fluffy cotton wicks that just burn out. Some people have those little metal holder-thingies to keep the wick in place; some use bobby pins as holder thingies. If your oil ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Splitting up the rosh chodesh reading when another follows it
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 684:3 says (in my own translation):
If rosh chodesh Teves comes out on Shabas, we remove three Torah scrolls, and six people read in the weekly section and one in that ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Maccabees and God's interaction
I looked over this answer Why isn't the book of the Maccabees part of the Jewish canon?, but I had further questions.
I understand why its non canonical, i think its easier to understand when an ...
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1answer
356 views
Why isn't the book of the Maccabees part of the Jewish canon?
I believe they are in the Christian canon... why not Jewish?
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1answer
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Sheasa Nisim ALL 8 nights? [closed]
Why do we say SheAsa Nisim all 8 nights? Shouldn't we only say it one night, the first?
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2answers
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Playing Draidel with your wife when she is a Nidah
May one play Draidel with his wife when she is a Nidah? (sources please)
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2answers
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How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
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2answers
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What is the story of Yehudit which takes place during the Chanukkah Story?
I have heard many varying and conflicting stories about Yehudit and her effect on the war with the Greeks at Chanukkah time and was wondering if anyone has sources for her story and what it truly is.
...
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1answer
115 views
The Chanuka Miracle of the Oil and Tumah Hutra Btzibur
In the events of Chanukah, why did they need the miracle of the oil? After all, they did not need pure [Tahor] oil, as the Gemara says Tumah Hutrah beTzibur, meaning if everyone is Tumay then you can ...
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1answer
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Rambam versus Ramban on Maccabees' taking the kingship from Yehuda
The Ramban (Nahmanides) in Parshas Vayachi says that the the Maccabees' children where killed out because they took the kingship from Shevet Yehuda. I was told (in the name of Reb Solovechick) the ...
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2answers
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Rambam placement of Hilchos Megilla vaChanukah
Why does the Rambam in Mishneh Torah in the Sefer Zmanim place Hilchos Chanukah and Hilchos Purim together in Megillah vaChanukah instead of just placing them separately and why in the title is ...
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2answers
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Who is the composer of Haneiros Halolu?
When we light the Menora we say Haneiros Halolu. Who composed these words?
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1answer
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Is there a minimum size for Chanuka flames?
Do the flames atop the chanukiya need to be a certain size to be valid? At the extreme, are tiny (but sustained) balls of blue flame sufficient?
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votes
1answer
87 views
Blowing out channukah candles before leaving the house
I know that as long as channukah candles are lit and the candle goes out by itself, you already did the mitzvah. I also know that you should have the channukah candles lit for at least 30 minutes. ...
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votes
2answers
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Lighting at a Chanukah Party
If I am eating at A Chanukah Party in a different place then my home may I light the Menorah at the location of the Chanukah Party and be Yotzeh?
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2answers
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Proper bracha on Chanuka candles: lhadlik ner (shel) Chanukah
Why do some people have the custom to say, in the blessing on the Chanukah lights, the word "Shel" before "Chanukah" and some do not? And I have been told some people put the words together as ...
3
votes
1answer
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Why are a couple words in Ma'oz Tzur different in some sidduriim?
The Text I am referring to is:
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי, בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה
חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי, בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה
וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת הַסְּגֻלָּה
חֵיל ...
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votes
1answer
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Al Hanisim or V'Al Hanisim
There seems to be different Nuschaos regarding Al Hanisim. Some say Al and some say V'Al. What is the difference and what do most Halachic authorities recommend.
3
votes
0answers
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Theoretically speaking, would a Dreidle be Muqse on Shabbat? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are dreidels muktzah?
Would there be any problem with Dreidels on Shabbat? I discussed it with some people and we couldn't find any Halachic issues with it.
3
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9answers
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Chanukah Remazim
What are some intresting Remazim like Acronyms and Numerical equivalents (Gematrias) with the word Chanukah for some fillers for a Chanukah Party speech?
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votes
2answers
129 views
Why doesn't Al Hanisim Mention the Miracle of the Oil?
Why is there no mention of the miracle of the candles burning for eight nights in Al Hanisim?
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votes
6answers
179 views
Chanukah and Miketz
What is the connection between Chanukah and Miketz — as, in most years, Chanukah falls out in this Parsha?
4
votes
1answer
65 views
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and nowhere for Purim and Pesach?
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and not in Al Hanisim for Purim or at another appropriate place (in say the brocho of אשר גאלנו) for Pesach?
Credit to Alex for ...
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vote
2answers
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She'asah nissim — why only past tense?
When we light the chanukiyah we say "she'asah nissim...b'yamim hahem bizman hazeh", with a past-tense "asah". While the miracles worked in the past (b'yamim hahem) are in the past (tautology alert!), ...
7
votes
2answers
76 views
Is there a requirement to stay around after lighting Chanuka candles?
When lighting the Chanuka candles, I understand that they generally need to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes. Is there any requirement for the person who lit the Menorah to stay around for a certain ...
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votes
3answers
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What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ?
What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ? Are there options other than the Artscroll interpretation, "unquestionable clarity"?
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1answer
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2answers
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Marriv before/after lighting the Menorah
Does one need to Daven Marriv before lighting the Chanukah Menorah or can you light before davening? Why?
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1answer
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Lighting the menora in shul and at home. How many brochos need be said?
Our shul has a minyan for mincha before sunset and for maariv after sunset. Between the two, the chanuka lights are kindled. There is a later maariv minyan; the chanuka lights are again kindled before ...
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3answers
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Pronunciation of חשמונאי
A friend today told me that the word חשמונאי traditionally pronounced "Chashmonai" should really be pronounced "Chashmunai" with the vav being read as a shuruk vowel instead of a cholom.
Is this ...
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2answers
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Nice clothes for Hanukkah
Is there a reason to wear special nice clothing on Hanukkah?
I would guess not as since there is no festive meal, it doesn't seem like it is a festive day.
Ideas anyone?
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votes
2answers
76 views
Which night of Chanuka should you give out Chanuka Gelt?
Is there a specific night of Chanuka that is better to give out Chanuka Gelt?
