2011 / 5772 ח ג ש מ ח ! Feliz Janukah! Hanuca fericit! B o l d o g H a n u k a t !

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Chanukah. Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam she asa nisim laavotenu bayamim hahem biz'man hazeh. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time. On the first night of Chanukah the following blessing is added : Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech haolam shehecheyanu vekiyimanu vehigianu lizman hazeh. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. ברוך אתה ה ' אלוהינו מלך העולם אשר קידשנו במצוותיו וציוונו להדליק נר של חנוכה ברוך אתה ה ' אלוהינו מלך העולם שעשה ניסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה בלילה הראשון בלבד ברוך אתה ה ' אלוהינו, מלך העולם שהחיינו וקיימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

Jews all over the world light one candle on the first day of Chanukah, from the center candle, Shamash, and one more each evening, until on the eighth night all are burning on the Hannukiah. 2011: December If you want to hear all the blessing, please…. אם רוצים לשמוע את כל הברכה, נא לא ללחוץ על העכבר.

What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of the Maccabees led by Judah Maccabe over the Greek-Syrian Antiochus and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The miracle of Hanukkah, however, comes later in the Hanukkah story - a single flask of oil used to light the menorah in the Temple, which could only last for one day, miraculously burned for eight days and nights.

What are some customs on Hanukkah? Each night of Hanukkah, the candles are lit. Two prayers are said (and one additional prayer on the first night), and Hanukkah songs are sung. Gifts are given, the dreidel is turned around and of course the traditional food is eaten.

by Abrasha American Art 1996

Tibor Spitz – artist and Holocaust survivor

Tibor Spitz - Sad Hanukah

Yaakov Agam

What foods are traditionally eaten on Hanukkah? Deep-fried foods! Most Hanukkah foods have lots of oil, since the Hanukkah miracle involved plenty of oil. And so, most of the traditional foods of Hanukkah,including latkes, or potato pancakes and sufganiyot, or jelly donuts - aren't exactly according to the Weight Watchers rules !

The sweetest symbol of Chanukah

Latches are one of the most famous of Jewish foods and a specialty of Hanukkah. They are made from potatoes, eggs and salt, then fried in oil, are served as an appetizer or as a side dish. Black pepper, chopped parsley, and finely chopped onion can be added to the egg and potato mixture.

“Dreidel “, another custom The Hebrew word for dreidel is sevivon, which, as in Yiddish, means "to turn around." Dreidels have four Hebrew letters on them, Shin, Hey, Gimel, Nun and they stand for the saying, “Nes gadol haya sham,” meaning “A great miracle occurred there.” In Israel, instead of the letter shin, there is a Peh, which means the saying is “Nes gadol haya po” - “A great miracle occurred here.”

This is a family holiday, celebrated at home and much loved by children for its songs and games, gifts of Chanukah Gelt (foil covered chocolate coins or even real money, ) and special foods

Hanuca fericit! Hanukah felice! Šťastný Hanukah! Happy Hanukah ! Glückliche Hanukkah! Boldog Hanukat! Hanoucca heureux! Счастливая Ханука! חג חנוכה שמח !

Music: 1. Hazan David Ullmann 2. Hanukah,Oh Hanuka Tzlil V'Zemer Boys Choir (the original) Photos : from the net Personal photos The stamps are from Ervin’s collection Info : from the net