Chanukah Guide - 5784

E X P E R I E N C E

CHANUKAH W I TH CHABAD OF W INNIPEG 25 K ISLE V - 3 TE VE T, 578 4

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DEC 7-15, 2023

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Dear Friend, Looking at the events today, you start to wonder. The story of a little candle pushing away the monster of frightening darkness, of human sensibility overcoming terror and brute force, of life and growth overcoming destruction, is very much alive within each of us and in the world outside of us.

It reoccurs at every winter solstice, at every dawn of each day, with every photon of sunlight that breaks through the earth’s atmosphere bringing it warmth and life-nurturing energy. With every breath of life, every cry of a newborn child, every blade of grass that breaks out from under the soil, every decision to do good in the face of evil, to be kind where there is cruelty, to build where others destroy, to move humanity forward when others pull us toward chaos.

And that is Chanukah.

Chanukah is an eight-day spiritual journey. 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 its meditation, joy, warmth and light. Not only in our homes with our loved ones, but with the entire world. In this tradition, Chabad presents our traditional Menorah Lighting. Our hope is that by igniting our souls, everybody will follow and light the world, one candle at a time.

We look forward to having you join us for the Public Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 10th at 4:00 pm!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Avrohom Altein Director, Chabad of Winnipeg

The Flame Within . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 S AV E T H E D AT E

The Chanukah Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Community Chanukah Celebration

Playing Dreidel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Menorah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How To Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

SUNDAY, DEC 10, 2023 • 4PM

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

Chanukah Treats, Menorah Lighting Ceremony, Dreidels, Doughnuts, Hot Latkes, Children’s Activities, Fire Performer, and a Chanukah Gift Store.

Traditional Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Free Admission.

This publication contains sacred writings. Please don’t desecrate it. However, it is not considered shaimos. © 2023 by The Shluchim Office.

Design and Inside AI Artwork by Spotlight Design.

AI Cover and Inside Artwork by Mendel Katz @jewishhistory_ai

To register, visit www.chabadwinnipeg.org or call 204-339-8737

Chanukah Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

A message based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

O

THE FLAME WITHIN

ON CHANUKAH we celebrate the To the Greek way of thinking, why couldn’t miraculous victory of the few over the many, the menorah be lit from oil that had been the weak Maccabee army against the mighty defiled?

Greeks, The only difference would have been the and the finding of one jar of oil. seal designating it for use in the Temple.

The miracle of the oil seems minor in But of course, the menorah, which shone comparison to those experienced in battle, its spiritual light to every Jew wherever yet it is the one that we commemorate till he might be, needed to be lit with pure, this day, because it is somehow the most consecrated oil. This, after all, is what the significant.

Maccabees had been fighting for all along!

The Greek’s style of rule was not to eradicate Miraculously, they found a small vial of oil, indigenous culture, but to incorporate enough for one day, with the seal intact. They it. They were willing to rekindled the Menorah, accept the Torah as a work and yet another miracle of wisdom or philosophy, occurred – the oil lasted To the Greek way and the mitzvot as for eight days. cultural. They just took These are the miracles that of thinking, why issue with the assertion we commemorate with couldn’t the Menorah Chanukah, which means that Torah is divinely authored, and that Jews the message is relevant to be lit from oil that do mitzvot not because us, today. had been defiled? they are logical or ethical, Under the assault of but because G-d has told environmental influences, us to. The core element of a Jew may find his inner our belief and commitment to Torah is that “Sanctuary” — his attachment to and G-d has commanded us, not whether the identification with G-d, Torah and mitzvot commandments seem logical, or are beyond — invaded and contaminated by ideas alien reason. The Torah does not change to meet to the Jewish way of life. But in deep inside whichever philosophy is ‘au courant’. each Jew’s soul there is always a “cruse of oil” Matityahu and his sons knew that this that remains pure and holy — that spark of precisely would be fatal to Jewish continuity.

G-dliness which is his Divine soul, which is With the famous battle cry, “Whoever is for indestructible and beyond defilement.

G-d, with me!” they commenced a rebellion You need to just find it and light it. which had little chance of victory.

Although it may seem like a tiny, insignificant Many miracles later, when the Maccabees light, that spark will light up and suffuse regained control of the Holy Temple, they your whole being until it shines brightly for found the Sanctuary invaded and that all the everyone to see. oil for the menorah had been tampered with.

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The Chanukah Story

MIR ACLE OF THE

Maccab

A

AFTER 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 Logically, the his kingdom under a common Greek culMaccabees ture. He banned key were no match Jewish observances for the most such as circumcipowerful army sion and Shabbat. He removed Yochanan in the world. 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?”

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P L AY I N G

abees 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 SyrianGreek 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 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!

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:

‫ג‬

‫נ‬

GIMMEL

NUN

Take the whole pot

Get nothing

‫ש‬

‫ה‬

SHIN

HAY

Pay two into the pot

Take half the pot

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M E N O R

THE

T

Laws and Customs

Seven Branches or Eight?

A Look at the Menorah’s History & Deeper Meaning

THE 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 LAMPHOLDERS

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.

S E E PAGE 11 F OR DAT E S AND BL E S SINGS

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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

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.

R A H 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.

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.

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.

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.

ON SATURDAY NIGHT, wait until after nightfall when Shabbat ends.

Recite Havdalah before lighting.

MANY WOMEN have the custom 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.

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.

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Insights and background on some of the traditional Chanukah customs.

CHANU

CHANUKAH GELT The Hebrew word Chanukah shares the same root as chinuch (education).

The Syrian-Greeks 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.

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 FIFTH NIGHT 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.

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 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

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light of the Menorah out, to shine out to the rest of the world.

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

NUKAH

TIDBITS

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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INGREDIENTS

TRADITIONAL

DONUTS

1 ¾ ounces fresh yeast 1 ½ cups warm water 1 tbsp. sugar 3 eggs ½ cup oil ½ cup sugar ½ cup non-dairy creamer 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. grated lemon peel 6 to 7 cups of flour Oil for frying Confectioners’ sugar US E 2-QUART POT YI E L DS 5 TO 6 DOZEN DONUTS

DI RECT IONS In a small bowl, combine yeast, water, and sugar (first three ingredients).

Set aside for 5 minutes.

In a large mixer bowl: place eggs, oil, sugar, non-dairy creamer, vanilla, and grated lemon peel. Add yeast mixture; add flour until soft dough is formed. (Dough need not be dry; it should be softer than challah dough.)

Knead for a few minutes. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1-½ hours.

Roll out dough ½-inch thick on floured surface.

Cut out circles with a doughnut cutter.

Place 2 or 3 inches oil in a 2-quart saucepan and heat over a medium flame until hot.

Place four donuts at a time in the oil. Brown on one side and then on the other. Remove with slotted spoon, drain and cool on paper towels.

Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

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Donuts, an old-fashioned treat, are never quite as good when store-bought.

Try them homemade!

NOTE To test if dough is ready for rolling, place a small piece in a glass of water-if the dough floats to the top, it is ready.

LIGHTING YOUR MENORAH Always kindle from left to right beginning with the added light FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Thursday, Dec. 7 Eve of 25 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1, 2 and 3* then kindle one light on your menorah.

SECOND NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Friday, Dec. 8 Eve of 26 Kislev Recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle two 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.

THIRD NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Saturday, Dec. 9 Eve of 27 Kislev After night falls and Shabbat ends, recite Havdalah (chabad.org/Havdalah). Recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle three lights on your menorah.

FOURTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Sunday, Dec. 10 Eve of 28 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle four lights on your menorah.

FIFTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Monday, Dec. 11 Eve of 29 Kislev After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle five lights on your menorah.

SIXTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Tuesday, Dec. 12 - Eve of 1 Tevet

B L E S S I N G S BLESSING 1

‫ ֲא ׁ ֶשר‬,‫ל ֵֹקינ ּו ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬-‫ ֱא‬,'‫ָ ּברו ְּך ַא ָּתה ה‬ .‫ וְ ִצ ָ ּונ ּו לְ ַה ְדלִ יק נֵ ר ֲחנֻ ָּכה‬,‫ִקדְּ ׁ ָשנ ּו ְ ּב ִמ ְצוֹ ָתיו‬ 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 ָשׂ ה‬,‫ל ֵֹקינ ּו ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬-‫ ֱא‬,'‫ָ ּברו ְּך ַא ָּתה ה‬ .‫ ַ ּב ָ ּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ִ ּבזְ ַמן ַה ֶּזה‬,ּ‫נִ ִּסים לַ ֲאבוֹ ֵתינו‬ 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

‫ ׁ ֶש ֶה ֶחיָ נ ּו‬,‫ל ֵֹקינ ּו ֶמלֶ ך ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬-‫ ֱא‬,‘‫ָ ּברוּך ַא ָּתה ה‬ .‫יענ ּו לִ זְ ַמן ַהזֶ ה‬ ָ ִ‫וְ ִקיְ ָמנ ּו 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.

After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle six lights on your menorah.

SEVENTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Eve of 2 Tevet After sunset, recite blessings 1 and 2, and kindle seven lights on your menorah.

EIGHTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Thursday, Dec. 14 - Eve of 3 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 O R S I N G :

,‫ ַעל ַה ְּת ׁשוּעוֹ ת‬,‫יקין‬ ִ ִ‫ַה ֵ ּנרוֹ ת ַה ָּלל ּו ָאנ ּו ַמ ְדל‬ ‫ית‬ ׂ‫ש‬ ‫ע‬ ‫ש‬ ׁ ,‫ת‬ ֹ‫או‬ ‫פ‬ ָ ִ ָ ֶ ָ‫ וְ ַעל ַה ִ ּנ ְ ל‬,‫וְ ַעל ַה ִ ּנ ִּסים‬ ‫ ַעל יְ ֵדי‬,‫לַ ֲאבוֹ ֵתינ ּו ַ ּב ָ ּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ִ ּבזְ ַמן ַה ֶּזה‬ ָ ֶ‫כּ ֲֹהנ‬ ,‫ וְ כָ ל ׁ ְשמוֹ נַ ת יְ ֵמי ֲחנֻ ָּכה‬.‫יך ַה ְּקדוֹ ׁ ִשים‬ ‫ וְ ֵאין לָ נ ּו ְר ׁשוּת‬,‫ַה ֵ ּנרוֹ ת ַה ָּלל ּו ק ֶֹד ׁש ֵהם‬ ‫ ְּכ ֵדי‬,‫ ֶא ָּלא לִ ְראוֹ ָתן ִ ּבלְ ָבד‬,‫לְ ִה ׁ ְש ַּת ּ ֵמ ׁש ָ ּב ֶהן‬ ָ ‫ ַעל נִ ֶּס‬,‫לְ הוֹ דוֹ ת וּלְ ַה ֵּלל לְ ׁ ִש ְמ ָך ַה ָ ּגדוֹ ל‬ ‫יך וְ ַעל‬ ָ ‫יך וְ ַעל יְ ׁשוּעוֹ ֶת‬ ָ ‫נִ ְפלְ אוֹ ֶת‬ :‫יך‬ 11

This holiday publication is distributed to Winnipeg’s Jewish Community with the generous support of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba