Questions tagged [chanuka]
Hanukkah, a holiday commemorating the miracles surrounding the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE
392
questions
4
votes
1
answer
79
views
Child Lighting Menorah in Shul
May a Child light the Menorah in Shul being that it is not the real lighting?
- 33.1k
4
votes
3
answers
262
views
4
votes
3
answers
306
views
Mentioning Chanukah in Al Hamichyah [duplicate]
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: ...
- 33.1k
11
votes
3
answers
616
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?
- 33.1k
3
votes
3
answers
157
views
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.
...
- 33.1k
7
votes
2
answers
215
views
Sell the shirt off his back for Menorah, but not for anything else?
Halacha brings that one who has no money for Chanukah Lights must sell the shirt off his back to acquire them why is this the case versus almost all other Mitzvos which require up to a fifth of his ...
- 33.1k
5
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Chanukah in the Mishnah
Why is the story of Chanukah not mentioned in the Mishnah at all, besides for to Passing references to Halachot which apply to them in the context of Damages an the laws of planting?
- 33.1k
3
votes
2
answers
122
views
Thanks for the wars
In Al Hannisim we say:
v'al hamilchamot she-asita la-avoteinu
Loosely translated:
And for the wars which you made for our Forefathers
Why are we thanking Hashem for wars?
- 33.1k
3
votes
1
answer
128
views
Where did they light the Menorah after they won the war with the Greeks
In the Al Hanisim that we add on Chanukah we say:
V'hidliku neirot b'chatzrot kodshecha
Translated as
kindled lights in Your holy courts
It sounds as if the Menorah from the temple was lit outdoors ...
- 33.1k
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
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?
- 33.1k
5
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
- 33.1k
5
votes
1
answer
147
views
What to look for in Chanuka flames
In determining the preferableness of fuel and wick types, the שולחן ערוך and רמ"א refer to light "hanging on wicks nicely" and the possibility of candle light being "clean" and "clear". What physical ...
- 23.7k
3
votes
0
answers
110
views
Proper Bracha on Chanuka candles [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Lhadlik ner (SHEL) Chanukah
What is the proper Nusach - Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanuka or LeHadlik Ner Chanuka?
- 139k
3
votes
1
answer
83
views
Half hour @ the Chanuka candles
Is the half hour that you are supposed to make sure the candles are lit Shaa Zemanios or exactly thirty minutes?
- 139k
5
votes
2
answers
166
views
Becoming Bar Mitzva on Chanuka
A boy becomes Bar Mitzva on one of the nights of Chanuka. If he lights the Menorah at the preferred time (appx 15-20 minutes after Shkia to the best of my knowledge) it is not Tzeis HaKochavim yet. ...
- 139k
2
votes
1
answer
88
views
Motzei Shabbos Chanuka
You go away to your family / friends for Shabbos Chanuka. You are returning home Motzei Shabbos. Should you light Chanuka candles at your host or return home and light your Chanuka candles?
- 139k
4
votes
2
answers
123
views
5
votes
1
answer
139
views
Lighting Chanuka candles on Erev Shabbat
Since it's not common sense to leave a fire unattended (or against an apartment building's guidelines to have unattended fires), what's the general minhag for lighting Chanuka candles on Erev Shabbat ...
user254
7
votes
5
answers
1k
views
2
votes
1
answer
450
views
Early Mincha Erev Shabbos Chanuka
There are people that daven Mincha on Erev Shabbos Chanuka prior to lighting the Menorah and there are people that light first and then Daven Mincha. Those that Daven early do it in order to avoid ...
- 139k
4
votes
2
answers
194
views
Why don't we light the Menorah outside in Chutz Laaretz?
In Eretz Yisroel, many people light outdoors. Why in Chutz Laretz don't we not do the same, which is ideal? (besides of course if your Menorah will get stolen But I dont believe thats the reason) And ...
- 33.1k
2
votes
3
answers
455
views
Riddle: Aruch Hashulchan. Chanukah story missing a word [closed]
A reading of the Aruch Hashulchan's description of the Miracle of Chanukah shows that there is a word he didn't use. What is it and why ?
- 324
5
votes
1
answer
137
views
Ner ish Ubeiso or One more candle
What is more important that one Person light the right amount of candles every night of Chanukah or that everyone in the house light (of course I am talking about Ashkenazim)?
- 33.1k
3
votes
1
answer
266
views
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.
- 139k
14
votes
8
answers
4k
views
Why are there eight days of Chanukah if there were only seven miracles?
There is a famous question asked by the Beis Yosef (R' Yosef Karo): Why do we celebrate eight days of Chanukah if the miracle lasted only seven? The jug of oil contained enough to be lit for one day, ...
- 33.1k
8
votes
4
answers
659
views
The Chanuka Miracle of the Oil and Tumah Hutra Btzibur
In the events of Chanukah, why did they need the miracle of finding the Shemen tahor pure olive oil? After all,the Gemara says Tumah Hutrah beTzibur (pesachim 77a), meaning if all the oil is Tumay ...
- 33.1k
1
vote
2
answers
145
views
Special Halacha for first night of Chanuka [closed]
On the first night of Chanuka we make a Sh'echiyanu when we light the candle. What other special Halacha is connected with the first night of Chanuka?
- 139k
2
votes
5
answers
276
views
-1
votes
3
answers
165
views
14
votes
1
answer
583
views
0
votes
2
answers
974
views
Dreidel - Nun (Neis) Gimel (Gadol) Hei (Haya) Shin (Shom) - (Pei - Po)
Outside of Eretz Yisroel when we play Dreidel we use - the Nun for Nochamol (go again), the Gimel for Gantz (empty the bank), the Hei for Halb (half the bank), and the Shin for Shtel Arain (put money ...
- 139k
7
votes
2
answers
206
views
Chanuka - what was the real miracle?
Was the miracle the fact that they found the oil? Was it that the oil lasted all 8 days? Was it that they won the war over the mighty greeks?
From the fact that we light menorah, it seems that the ...
- 2,873
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
December greeting responses [closed]
How do you respond when greeted, during the Winter "holiday season" by a non-Jewish acquaintance with each of the following?
Happy Chanuka (in proximity to Chanuka)
Happy Chanuka (not in proximity to ...
- 47.8k
6
votes
1
answer
154
views
Third blessing on the second night of Channukah
If someone didn't light Channukah lights on the first night, does he/she then say the third blessing (Sh'hecheyunu) on the next night?
- 3,794
7
votes
4
answers
127
views
Chanuka Candle Location [closed]
My whole family will be staying at a hotel over shabbos and the hotel management says that we are not allowed to light fires in our rooms. Nobody will be in our home. How can we fulfill the mitzvah ...
Fred
5
votes
1
answer
102
views
Chanukiah location
What it the ideal place to put a chanukiah for lighting? Is it better to put it in the window, outside or inside? Does it depend on where you live?
- 3,069
21
votes
1
answer
5k
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?
- 956
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the appropriate use of the shamash on an oil menora?
It seems that with wax candle menoras, the shamash is generally lit first and used to light the other candles, but with an oil menora this is not possible. So should you light the shamash before the ...
- 3,870
11
votes
6
answers
4k
views
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 ...
- 131k
9
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Are chanukah menorahs lit from the left or the right?
There are different authorities that state the chanukah menora should be lit from the left or the right. Which is correct?
- 629
4
votes
3
answers
213
views
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 ...
- 23.7k
8
votes
2
answers
242
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?
- 47.8k