Chanukah Guide 2017

ExpeRienCe

ChanukaH with C h a ba d o f Wi n n i p eg

December 12–20, 2017 25 Kislev–2 Tevet, 5778

Dear Friend,

Each and every Jewish holiday has a distinct character that inspires Jewish life in a unique way. Chanukah is the holiday that celebrates the joy of Jewish living and the beauty of Mitzvot. The Jews of the Maccabean era would have been free to live in peace, if they had been willing to abandon the Torah and live by the culture of the Syrian Greeks. Their brave and courageous fight against their tormentors was because of their deep conviction to follow the precepts of Judaism.

That is what we celebrate by lighting the Chanukah Menorah. Many people know the story of Chanukah but only as a historical pretext to give gifts and eat latkes.

We can call that the body of Chanukah. The soul of Chanukah is the Menorah, the flame of the Jewish soul. Its light represents the spirit of Jewish life that prevails against all odds and continues to brighten our future.

This Chanukah, we look forward to having you join us in celebrating the indelible Jewish spirit. Please join us on Sunday, December 17th at the Jewish Learning Centre for a community-wide lighting ceremony and Chanukah party featuring comedy ventriloquist Chuck Field, a live family concert, spinning dreidels, kids crafts, hot latkas, and fun for the whole family! Then cheer us on as we take to the streets of Winnipeg in our annual car menorah parade featuring a limousine, menorah trailer, lively music, and a police escort.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy Chanukah!

Rabbi Avrohom & Brocha Altein Rabbi Boruch & Chana Heidingsfeld Rabbi Shmuly & Adina Altein ChabadWinnipeg.org

The Flame Within . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chanukah at City Hall

Playing Dreidel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 2017, 4:30PM

Chanukah Tidbits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

the

Save Date

Lighting ceremony, Children’s choir, Dignitaries, Sufganiyot For more information, visit www.ChabadWinnipeg.org, email: reception@chabadwinnipeg.org, or call 204-339-8737

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The Chanukah Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Menorah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How To Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Traditional Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Chanukah Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

e

This publication contains sacred writings. Please don’t desecrate it. However, it is not considered shaimos. © 2017 by The Shluchim Office.

Design by Spotlight Design. Artwork by Annita Soble.

000

A message based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

The Flame Within O n Chanukah we celebrate the miraculous victory of the few over the many, the weak Maccabee army against the mighty Greeks, and the finding of one jug of oil. The miracle of the oil seems minor in comparison to those experienced in battle, yet it is the one that we commemorate till this day, because it is somehow the most significant.

The Greek’s style of rule was not to eradicate indigenous culture, but to incorporate it. They were willing to accept the Torah as a work of wisdom or philosophy, and the mitzvot as cultural. They just took issue with the assertion that Torah is divinely authored, and that Jews do mitzvot not because they are logical or ethical, but because G-d has told us to.

The core element of our belief and commitment to Torah is that G-d has commanded us, not whether the commandments seem logical, or are beyond reason. The Torah does not change to meet whichever philosophy is ‘au courant’. Matityahu and his sons knew that this precisely would be fatal to Jewish continuity. With the famous battle cry, “Whoever is for G-d, with me!” they commenced a rebellion which had little chance of victory.

Many miracles later, when the Maccabees regained control of the Holy Temple, they found the Sanctuary invaded and that all the oil for the menorah had been tampered with.

To the Greek way of thinking, why couldn’t the menorah be lit from oil that had been defiled? The only difference would have been the seal designating it for use in the Temple.

But of course, the menorah, which shone its spiritual light to every Jew wherever

he might be, needed to be lit with pure, consecrated oil. This, after all, is what the Maccabees had been fighting for all along!

Miraculously, they found a small jug of oil, enough for one day, with the seal intact. They rekindled the Menorah, and yet another miracle occurred – the oil lasted for eight days.

But of course, the menorah, which shone its spiritual light to every Jew wherever he might be, needed to be lit with pure, consecrated oil...

These are the miracles that we commemorate with Chanukah, which means the message is relevant to us, today.

Under the assault of environmental influences, a Jew may find his inner “Sanctuary” — his attachment to and identification with G-d, Torah and Mitzvot — invaded and contaminated by ideas alien to the Jewish way of life. But deep inside each Jew’s soul there is always a “cruse of oil” that remains pure and holy — that spark of G-dliness which is his Divine soul, which is indestructible and beyond defilement.

You need to just find it and light it.

Although it may seem like a tiny, insignificant light, that spark will light up and suffuse your whole being until it shines brightly for everyone to see.

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miRacle of the

A

Maccabees

The Chanukah Story

fter Alexander the Great conquered Jerusalem in 3448 (313 BCE), the Jews lived peacefully under Greek rule.

Soon, Antiochus III rose to power. At first, he, too, treated the Jews well. But when he was defeated by the Romans and forced to pay heavy taxes, he passed the burden along to his subjects.

A cycle of oppression began. Antiochus died and his son, Seleuces IV, tried to liquidate the Temple’s treasury to pay the Romans. Seleuces was soon killed and his rash and tyrannical brother Antiochus Epiphanes assumed the throne.

By then a Jewish Hellenist movement had gained steam. Many Jews embraced the popular secular lifestyle of idolatry and self-worship, adding a threat from within.

Antiochus seized on this climate to unify his kingdom under a common Greek culture.

He banned key Jewish observances such as circumcision and Shabbat. He removed Yochanan the High Priest and replaced him with Jason, a Hellenized Jew. He mockingly sacrificed pigs on the Temple’s altar.

Many Jews openly defied Antiochus and died as martyrs. But, when he erected statues of Zeus and demanded that all subjects worship them, the Jewish people banded together to revolt. In 3621 (140 BCE) the Jews fought a war for their religious freedoms. Led by Matityahu and his five sons, a priestly family of the Hasmonean dynasty, the small army called itself the Maccabees, an acronym for “Mi Kamocha Ba’eilim Hashem—Who is like You among the powerful, O L-rd?”

Logically, the Maccabees were no match for the most powerful army in the world. But they miraculously won some early battles. The Greeks came back with bigger armies and (to really make a point) armored elephants. The battles became fiercer and the victories more miraculous as the Jews kept on winning. In a particularly valiant turn, a woman named Yehudit gained entry to a Syrian-Greek basecamp, seduced its general and plied him with wine and cheese before killing him with his own sword.

The Maccabees eventually chased the Greeks out of Jerusalem and declared independence. But when they entered the

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HOW-TO GUIDE

Logically, the Maccabees were no match for the most powerful army in the world.

recaptured Holy Temple, they found a disgraceful mess of idols, forbidden foods and broken pottery.

They tidied up and rededicated the Temple, only to encounter a new challenge: The Temple’s six-foot Menorah had to be lit with pure, untampered olive oil. All the oil in the Temple had been deliberately defiled by the Greeks; it would take 7 days (round-trip) to get new oil from the orchards of Tekoah. The Maccabees did not want to wait!

The miracles continued: They found a jug of pure oil hidden beneath the floor, still sealed with the insignia of the High Priest. And, though it was a jug with just enough oil for one night, it miraculously lasted for eight days.

Each year on Chanukah, we celebrate these miracles of light over might with Jewish pride and joy!

PlayiNg dReidel Defying the king’s ban, brave Jewish children continued to study Torah in secret caves. Whenever a Greek officer drew near, they’d hide their schoolbooks and pretend to play tops. We play dreidel (from the Yiddish word drei, which means “turn”) as a reminder of these courageous children.

Each of the four sides of our dreidels bears a Hebrew letter: Nun, Gimmel, Hay or Shin, for the Hebrew words Ness Gadol Haya Sham, which means “a great miracle happened there”. In Israel, the dreidels say Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Pay for “Ness Gadol Haya Poh—a great miracle happened here.”

THE RULES You’ll need a dreidel and some coins. You can also use candy or cereal pieces. All players begin with an equal amount and contribute equally to establish a “pot”.

Now take turns spinning the dreidel.

If it lands on:

Nun

Gimmel

Get nothing

Take the whole pot

Hay

Shin

Take half the pot

Pay two into the pot

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the

meNoraH Seven Branches or Eight?

A Look at the Menorah’s History & Deeper Meaning

T

he menorah, Hebrew for “lamp”, is one of the oldest symbols of Judaism. For thousands of years, images of menorahs have been prevalent in Jewish art, architecture, and culture. Over time, the menorah has become an icon for Jewish culture and faith.

But the Torah tells of a sevenbranched menorah lit every day in the Mishkan, the portable temple used by our ancestors en route to the Holy Land. Later a sevenbranched menorah was lit in the Beit Hamikdash, Jerusalem’s Holy Temple If the menorah of the Temple bore only seven branches, why do most popular depictions have eight?

The simple answer is that the popular menorah is not a depiction of the Temple menorah, but of the Chanukah menorah which commemorates the miracle of the Temple’s menorah burning for eight days.

Spiritually, there is an additional reason to celebrate eight lights over seven.

Kabbalah teaches that the number seven

symbolizes the natural order of the universe, as in the seven days of the weekly cycle. Eight, being the first number beyond seven, symbolizes transcending nature and embracing the supernatural and miraculous.

Since the miracle of Chanukah occurred in 140 BCE, the menorah has continued to inspire Jews in every time and place. Amid the horrors of the Holocaust and the gloom of the Soviet gulag, the Chanukah menorah burned. Even today, when the world stumbles in darkness, the menorah shines bright, its light giving us the strength to persevere.

Perhaps the eight-branched menorah is so popular as a symbol of our eternal optimism that G-d will make things work out for us, even when it seems unlikely.

The Chanukah menorah proclaims G-d’s involvement in our lives, past and present.

When we light the menorah this Chanukah, we can be grateful for the private miracles woven into every part of our natural lives.

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LAWS AND CUSTOMS

How-to Light The menorah brings light into our homes and radiates onto the street. By spreading goodness and kindness, we too can illuminate and transform the outside world and weaken the spiritual darkness.

THE LAMPHOLDERS of your menorah should be in an even line and of even height, except the shamash (service candle), which should be at a distinctly different height from the rest.

THE OPTIMAL PLACE for a menorah is in a doorway, opposite the mezuzah. You can also use a window that is visible from the street.

IF YOU ARE SINGLE and living on your own, you’ll need your own menorah. A married couple or family is one unit and the husband can light for everyone. Kids may light their own menorahs too.

ON THE FIRST NIGHT, light the candle furthest to the right.

Each day, add another to the left of the original. Always light the newly added candle first.

THE RIGHT TIME TO LIGHT is at nightfall (about 20 minutes after sunset). Your menorah should remain lit for at least a 1/2 hour past nightfall. If you light earlier, make sure it is able to stay lit for 1/2 hour past nightfall.

GOT HOME LATE? As long as someone is around to see it, you can still light the menorah with a blessing. If not, light the menorah without a blessing.

ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, light your menorah and then your Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset. Do not light after sunset. Your menorah may need extra fuel to last the requisite 1/2 hour after nightfall.

ON SATURDAY NIGHT, wait until after nightfall when Shabbat ends. Recite Havdalah before lighting.

MANY WOMEN have the custom to take time out from work, including housework, during the first 1/2 hour that the menorah burns to honor the brave women who played a significant role in the Chanukah victory.

See page 11 for dates and blessings

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ChaNukah

Tidbits

Insights and background on some of the traditional Chanukah customs.

CHANUKAH GELT

THE 5TH NIGHT

The Hebrew word Chanukah shares the same root as chinuch (education). The SyrianGreeks were determined to force Hellenism upon the Jewish population, at the expense of the ideals and commandments of the holy Torah. Unfortunately, they almost succeeded in their endeavor. After they were defeated it was necessary to reintroduce Torah values to many Jews.

During Chanukah it is customary to give gelt (money) to children to teach them to increase in charity and good deeds and to add to the festive spirit. This gentle persuasion is an essential component in education until a child can independently understand the importance and beauty of the Torah.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the admirable custom of gelt-giving each night of Chanukah (aside from Shabbat).

The most significant night to give is on the fifth, the first night that there are more flames than darkness.

A deeper reason for this custom: The Greeks assaulted the possessions of Israel in the same spirit in which they ruined the oil in the Holy Temple. They did not destroy the oil; they defiled it. They did not rob the Jewish people; they attempted to infuse their possessions with Greek ideals— that they be used for egotistical and impure ends, rather than holy pursuits.

Chanukah gelt celebrates our freedom and mandate to channel material wealth toward holy ends.

• The windows of the Holy Temple were wider outside than in. Rather than let the sunlight in like all other windows, the Temple windows were built to let the light of the Menorah out, to shine out to the rest of the world.

MENORAH

• The sages taught that the first light created by G-d was too powerful for humans to use, so He hid it until a time when the world would achieve a higher state. The light that shines out of your Chanukah menorah is that “first light.”

• The Chanukah lights tell a story that we try to hear. But it is forbidden to

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A CHANUKAH LESSON

use the Chanukah lights for any practical reason such as light or heat. This is one reason we keep the shamash candle lit, ensuring that any benefit derived from the lights is from this non-Mitzvah light.

MIRACLE OIL

Since the miracle of Chanukah happened with oil (the olive oil in the menorah), we eat oily foods on Chanukah, such as donuts and potato latkes.

Oil also symbolizes the secret wisdom of the Torah known as Kabbalah. Like oil seeps through a fabric, this wisdom permeates every aspect of the Torah. Yet, just as oil remains separate and floats above water, the true depth of Kabbalah always remains just beyond our grasp.

One More Light Chanukah is a lesson in life— perhaps the most important lesson you’ll ever learn.

Chanukah is the story of light defying darkness.

As the sun’s light dwindles and night sets in, we light one small candle. The next night we light two. Bit by bit, the light becomes stronger until we reach the power of eight—a number beyond nature, a miraculous power.

There are so many lessons to be learned from Chanukah, but let’s start here: When darkness looms, make more light.

Do more good. Add another mitzvah to your life and make your light shine brighter each day.

A mitzvah—a divinely beautiful deed—is a light handed to us from Heaven to uplift our world and make it into a divinely beautiful place. Nothing is more powerful than a mitzvah.

Your efforts may seem small in comparison to the darkness out there, but never underestimate the power of light. Like in the story of the Maccabees, just a little bit of light can chase away a whole lot of darkness.

All of us struggle with darkness— whether from within our own selves or from the big, scary world out there.

Chanukah comes to say: Don’t fight the shadows. Instead, light a candle and the darkness will run away.

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CHANUKAH TREAT

DelicioUs Potato latkes

By the light of the Chanukah menorah, young and old enjoy this crisp, holiday treat!

Ingredients:

Directions:

5 large potatoes, peeled 1 large onion

Grate potatoes and onion and strain through a colander, pressing out excess water.

Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

3 eggs

Add eggs, flour, and seasoning.

Continue with remaining batter until finished, adding more oil when necessary.

¹/³ cup flour 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper ¾ cup oil for frying

Use: 10-inch skillet Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Mix well.

Heat ½ cup oil in skillet.

Lower flame and place 1 large tablespoon batter at a time into hot sizzling oil and fry until golden (approx. 5 min).

Serve with a side of applesauce or sour cream.

Turnover and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

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CHANUKAH 2017/5778

Lighting Your MenoRah Always kindle from left to right beginning with the added light First Night of Chanukah Tuesday, Dec. 12 — Eve of 25 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1, 2 and 3* then kindle one light on your menorah.

Second Night of Chanukah Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Eve of 26 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle two lights on your menorah.

Third Night of Chanukah Thursday, Dec. 14 - Eve of 27 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle three lights on your menorah.

Fourth Night of Chanukah Friday, Dec. 15 - Eve of 28 Kislev Recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle four lights on your menorah. The menorah must be lit BEFORE lighting Shabbat candles. Light Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset. For local candle lighting times visit: Chabad.org/ shabbatimes.

Fifth Night of Chanukah Saturday, Dec. 16 - Eve of 29 Kislev After night falls and Shabbat ends, recite Havdalah (chabad.org/Havdalah). Recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle five lights on your menorah.

Sixth Night of Chanukah

BleSsinGs Blessing #1

,‫עֹולם‬ ָ ‫ל ֵֹק ינּו ֶמ ֶלךְ ָה‬-‫ ֱא‬,'‫ָּברּוךְ ַא ָּתה ה‬ ‫ וְ ִצּוָ נּו ְל ַה ְד ִליק‬,‫ֹות יו‬ ָ ‫ֲא ֶׁשר ִק ְּד ָׁשנּו ְּב ִמ ְצ‬ .‫נֵ ר ֲחנֻ ָּכה‬ Baruch Atah Ado-noi, Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam, Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sav, Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Chanukah.

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.

Blessing #2

‫ ֶׁש ָע ָׂשה‬,‫עֹולם‬ ָ ‫ל ֵֹקינּו ֶמ ֶלךְ ָה‬-‫ ֱא‬,'‫ָּברּוךְ ַא ָּתה ה‬ .‫ ַּבּיָ ִמים ָה ֵהם ִּבזְ ַמן ַהּזֶ ה‬,‫בֹותינּו‬ ֵ ‫נִ ִּסים ַל ֲא‬ Baruch Atah Ado-noi, Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam, She-asa Nisim La-a-vo-sai-nu, Ba-ya-mim Ha-haim Biz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.

Blessing #3

,‫עֹולם‬ ָ ‫ל ֵֹק ינּו ֶמ ֶלך ָה‬-‫ ֱא‬,‘‫ָּברּוך ַא ָּתה ה‬ .‫יענּו ִלזְ ַמן ַהזֶ ה‬ ָ ִ‫ֶׁש ֶה ֶחיָ נּו וְ ִקיְ ָמנּו וְ ִהג‬ Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam She-heh-chi-yah-nu Ve-ki-yemahnu Ve-hi-gi-ahnu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Sunday, Dec. 17 - Eve of 30 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle six lights on your menorah.

Seventh Night of Chanukah Monday, Dec. 18 - Eve of 1 Tevet After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle seven lights on your menorah.

Eighth Night of Chanukah Tuesday, Dec. 19 - Eve of 2 Tevet After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle eight lights on your menorah.

* Note: Recite blessing 3 the first night or the first time you light your menorah this Chanukah.

After lighting, say or sing:

,‫ ַעל ַה ְּתׁשּועֹות‬,‫יקין‬ ִ ‫ַהּנֵ רֹות ַה ָּללּו ָאנּו ַמ ְד ִל‬ ‫ית‬ ָ ‫ ֶׁש ָע ִׂש‬,‫ וְ ַעל ַהּנִ ְפ ָלאֹות‬,‫וְ ַעל ַהּנִ ִּסים‬ ‫ ַעל יְ ֵדי‬,‫בֹותינּו ַּבּיָ ִמים ָה ֵהם ִּבזְ ַמן ַהּזֶ ה‬ ֵ ‫ַל ֲא‬ ,‫ וְ ָכל ְׁשמֹונַ ת יְ ֵמי ֲחנֻ ָּכה‬.‫דֹוׁשים‬ ִ ‫ּכ ֲֹהנֶ יךָ ַה ְּק‬ ‫ וְ ֵאין ָלנּו ְרׁשּות‬,‫ַהּנֵ רֹות ַה ָּללּו ק ֶֹדׁש ֵהם‬ ‫ ְּכ ֵדי‬,‫אֹותן ִּב ְל ָבד‬ ָ ‫ ֶא ָּלא ִל ְר‬,‫ְל ִה ְׁש ַּת ֵּמׁש ָּב ֶהן‬ ‫ ַעל נִ ֶּסיךָ וְ ַעל‬,‫ְלהֹודֹות ְּול ַה ֵּלל ְל ִׁש ְמךָ ַהּגָ דֹול‬ : ָ‫ׁשּועֹותיך‬ ֶ ְ‫אֹותיךָ וְ ַעל י‬ ֶ ‫נִ ְפ ְל‬ 11

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JOHN

ORLIKOW CITY COUNCILLOR

| RIVER HEIGHTS/FORT GARRY WARD

you good health, joy & peace. “ Wishing Happy Chanukah!

“

510 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9 (204) 986-5236 | jorlikow@orlikow.ca

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Tel: (204) 775-8721

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Wishing you a Happy Chanukah & Healthy New Year!

H

M

tu

C

Happy Chanukah!

Heather Stefanson MLA for Tuxedo

tuxconst@mymts.net

Marty Morantz CITY COUNCILLOR

CHARLESWOOD | TUXEDO | WHYTE RIDGE

Happy

Chanukah

£ ­ ¦ ထ ¡ £ ¡ ¤® ­ 204-986-5232 | mmorantz@winnipeg.ca

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