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Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Chanukah » How-To » Chanukah Guide
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Chanukah Guide    |    The Eight Days of Chanukah    |    Menorah Wizard    |    Lighting Guide (Video)    |    Hanukkah Foods    |    Dreidel Wizard    |    Chanukah Gelt    |    Texts and Prayers    |    Children's Chanukah Guide    |    Laws & Lore

Chanukah Guide

Brief Printable Version

Who lights the Menorah, when and how? What are the Chanukah prayers and traditions? This brief Chanukah tutorial will allow you to breeze through the Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony.

44 Comments Posted
Reader Comments
Posted: Dec 16, 2005
thanks
Thanks for the information on your web site. I am not Jewish, but my son's class is discussing Hanukkah this year and he is very interested in the history and the traditions. This info is very helpful to me.
Posted By D. Jones, nj, usa

Posted: Dec 17, 2005
Chanukah
Having no Jewish background, and no one who has ever had discussions about Jewish life, I am grateful to have a place to learn. Little by little. Thank you.
Posted By Gail Walker, Hudson, NY

Posted: Dec 19, 2005
Chanukah
Thanks so much for the wonderful refresher course for the rituals of Chanukah.
Although having been a Yeshiva "bucher", a lot of the feeling and tradition seems to slip away during the long year between the celebration of Chanukahs. The public schoos are teaching Chanukah to non-Jews, but nothing can replace the decades-old feeling of celebrating the holiday with family and friends
Posted By David Kammer, Chesterfield, MO

Posted: Dec 19, 2005
very impressive
I was very impressed with all information
Posted By Anonymous, ottumwa, Ia
via chabadmequon.org

Posted: Dec 20, 2005
Your Site
What an awesome and beautiful, useful site you have.

I was browsing for more understanding about Chanukah, and I got so much from your site. I am not jewish. In fact, I am black, and I found your site warm, inviting, exciting and uplifting.

Thank you for sharing this with others, and the Very Best Chanukah Season to you and yours!
Posted By Kathi, Moreno Valley, CA

Posted: Dec 23, 2005
Channukah
Thank you so much for all your wonderful information and the eternal light you bring to those of us who need your ongoing support. I am grateful for my Chabad in Brandon and for Rabbi Rubashkin and his family.
Posted By Saralee Hope Fackelman, Plant City, Florida
via chabadbrandon.org

Posted: Dec 24, 2005
daily davening during Chanukah
It would be helpful to know whether tefillin are worn during Chanukah, and if so whether they are removed before Hallel.
Chabad has been very good to us in Japan; many thanks for everything!
Posted By Jack L. Yohay, Nabari, Mie-ken, Japan

Posted: Dec 25, 2005
Well, folks, I AM a Jew and am delighted you've found such riches here. I am contiunually astounded by the Chabadniks' prodigious work...
Posted By Kevin Gilad Benyamin Smith

Posted: Dec 25, 2005
Your Chanukah Article
It is always nice to have a reliable source of information available. Although we know the rituals it is good to review them so as to not make a mistake.
Posted By Roger Meyers, Charlotte, NC

Posted: Dec 25, 2005
Amazing site! Extremely helpful!
Posted By Izzy

Posted: Dec 25, 2005
Thank you!
I am Catholic, but have a boyfriend who is Jewish, and this being a religious holiday for the both of us, and myself not knowing much (if nothing) about Judaism, I was very interested in learning about the traditions and background of Hanukkah to better understand the importance of this time to him. I found your site welcoming to all faiths and very informational. Thank you so much!!
Posted By Ally Peden, Des Moines, Iowa

Posted: Dec 26, 2005
first time to celebrate Hanakkuh
this is my first time to celebrate Hannakkuh. I am not sure I did it right but I wanted to participate in this special event. May you be blessed.
Posted By Judith Bickelhaupt, Covina, CA

Posted: Dec 31, 2005
Chabad of Shoreline Website
I love your website. May you all go from strength to strength in bringing Yiddishkeit to Kol Yisrael. There is nothing comparable to the ruach of Chabad, and the Shoreline Chabad is exemplary.
Posted By Leah Stambler
via jewishoreline.org

Posted: Nov 13, 2006
Cultural Diversity
I am gathering information for my job. I chair the cultural diversity committee at a male juvenile correctional facility. After having lived in atl for 20 years, i am excited and priviledged to help offer cultural education to the youth , many of whom have never traveled from thier county until being sent to the facility. We are a small rural community and many people working with the youth have not traveled outside the community. So this information is tremendously powerful. Thank you for this education opportunity.
Posted By Mrs. Caro, Larned, KS USA

Posted: Nov 28, 2006
Gratitude
I have grown up with only limited knowledge of the beliefs and traditions of of Judiasm. However I was always told by my mother of another way of life that she had incorporated into her life as a child from relatives on her side of the family. Traditions that were as beautiful as the meaning behind them. She would say it with a wistfulness that held my heart still.
Now in midlife - I have a desire to search into her and my past. Thank you for giving a novice a place to seek out just a bit of knowledge that is understandable.
Posted By Anonymous, Delanson, N.Y.

Posted: Dec 3, 2006
Many blessings and success
I wish you and yours many blessings and success. I have been involved with various Chabad activities over the years, and have always been impressed, thrilled, and have taken away lots of knowledge about Yiddishkeit. G-d bless you all !!
Posted By C Jason Landau, Pulaski, Virginia

Posted: Dec 6, 2006
Thank you
Thank you for this very informative site. I am want to know more about Judaism and its practices. Your site has been especially helpful in its thoroughness and attention to detail.
Posted By Sherry, Vidalia, LA

Posted: Dec 7, 2006
Celebrations
As a Christian, I believe Christmas is too commercialized and not even about God any more. I am forgoing the tree and incorporating lights as you do to honor God during this season. Thanks for the info.
Posted By Amanda, Buffalo, MN

Posted: Dec 7, 2006
Loving judaism and it's faith
I fell in love with your faith and believes. I'm a ex-christain studying your torah and holidays. It bought me closer to the true G-D and the meaning of One true G-D,his childrens and love. I think you for all your beautiful web-site and teachings. This is a blessing from G-D.
Thank you
Posted By Israel Rivera, Orlando, U.S.A

Posted: Dec 9, 2006
Thank you so much for the information you post on this Web site. I remember a time when I was unable to find the richness of the Hebraic teachings. At this time, I feel truly blessed to be able to glean from the fields of knowledge that you have so graciously made available.

Blessings and Shalom
Posted By Anonymous, Louisville, KY

Posted: Dec 11, 2006
Hanukkah
Excellent and very well written. Thanks a lot for these articles, full of symbolic significance. Shabbat ve Yom Tov!
Posted By Ileana Stan, Romania

Posted: Dec 11, 2006
hello
Hi. I'm in fifth grade and when you guys post these things, it's good because you have to do monthly research and we have to look up different stuff! So thanks again!
Posted By Lien, Beverton, CA

Posted: Dec 11, 2006
Chanukah cards
For those of you who like cards, this site has some great e-cards for chanukah. Check them out.
Posted By Robin Filmer, New Orleans, LA

Posted: Dec 12, 2006
...Alot of christians dont realize that christmas Is a pagen holiday and what we really need to be celebrating is Hannukah the biblical holiday. Pray for the peace of jerusalem.
Posted By a.hoorn

Posted: Dec 13, 2006
chanukah
Thank you so much for your information. I have for the last year been studying the Zohar and have come to realize that your religon touches my soul. I live in a small town where there are only christian places to whorship. Information isn't readily available. Learning about your faith and customs have literally saved me. I am anxious to put into practice a little of what I have read about. I am also anxious to find a place of worship that I can attend.
Bless you and your family for your insights and knowledge it helps to bless us all.
Posted By deloris adims, fremont, ohio

Posted: Dec 14, 2006
Thanks
This page is very interesting and I enjoyed it a lot. Good luck and thanks.
Posted By Naty, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Posted: Dec 15, 2006
Site
Congratulations! Excellent site.
Mazol Tov & Happy Everything!
Posted By Shelley Martin, Glendora, CA
via chabadinlandempire.com

Posted: Dec 15, 2006
useful information
Thank you so much for all of the information. I am a young Jewish adult now living on my own, and am responsible for carrying out the traditions in my own home. This is a great guideline to make sure I do everything correctly. Also, my boyfriend and his family are Catholic, and this site has helped me to explain the Jewish traditions to them in a manner that they can understand.
Posted By Carly, Greensboro, NC

Posted: Dec 15, 2006
Thank you!
Thank G-d you guys put this online. I am a secular Jew who is trying to reclaim some of the old traditions and this guide helps more than I can say!
Posted By Anonymous, Toronto, ON/Canada

Posted: Dec 15, 2006
Thank you
Thank you
Posted By Ron Bar-Nadav, Fort Lee, NJ
via chabadfortlee.com

Posted: Dec 15, 2006
Happy Chanukah!
Although goy and Christian, I celebrate Chanukah and endure Xmas. Todah rabah for all the information you provide, and G-d bless all.
Posted By Robert Hand, Pleasant View, TN

Posted: Dec 16, 2006
Thanks
I am a high school student whom has decided to convert to Judaism I thank you for your website for it has helped me through my transformation.
Posted By Kelly, Corpus Christi, Texas

Posted: Dec 16, 2006
chanukah
My father is jewish and my mother is a christian. Since my mother never converted to judiaism, I was not raised as a jew. I have developed an interest in judiaism as I have gotten older. For me, it feels like it is a part of where I came from. My only memories as a child was my father teaching me jewish songs, a bar mitzvah, a jewish wedding as well as a jewish funeral. I am thankful for this site as it tells me how part of my families heritage. In ending, shalom.
Posted By Lisa, Kansas City, MO/USA

Posted: Dec 16, 2006
Chanukah
What a wonderful informative site you have for Chanukah. Many thanks to the Chabad for all your help that you do for Jewish people all over the world. Best wishes to all for a very happy holiday no matter what your religion.
Posted By Jerry Diamond, Toronto, Canada

Posted: Dec 17, 2006
Chanukah
My father was born in Netherlands and grew up during its occupation in World War two. He later immigrated to Canada. He never forgot the horrors of that war and made sure that I learned what happened there, as well as in Germany, through various family vacations to Europe. Even thought he was not Jewish he would donate to various Jewish fund raising events when ever possible.

I was raised as a catholic growing up in a Jewish neighborhood in Montreal Canada. Some of my fondest childhood memories were playing basketball, with one of my Jewish friends at the local synagogue.

This is the first year of my life that I have felt so determined to celebrate Chanukah.

It has not been ease with all the conflicting information on the Internet but then I finally came to your web site. Being dysleric your web site was truly the most informative for me.

Thank you. Happy Chanukah to all.
Posted By John. F Geist, Florida

Posted: Dec 20, 2006
this is interesting
Lots of information i never knew about...
Posted By sofia, holland, MI

Posted: Dec 21, 2006
Thank You for Shedding "Light" on These Traditions
I am a public high school teacher in south central Massachusetts, currently covering a "Foods & Nutrition" class for a colleague. I am preparing latkes for and with my students today and in the process am informing them about the rich heritage and tradition that is associated with this holiday food. Your website has been outstanding in serving as a resource for me, a Christian with a long standing appreciation for our common heritage. Shaloam!
Posted By Rene M. Lafayette, Blackstone, MA

Posted: Dec 22, 2006
Hanukkah
I have enjoyed the comments immensley from others. I will be coming back to this website often. I converted to Judaism 4 years ago and find my new religion fulfills all my needs. My husband was my life the past 14 years until this past May when he passed away. I will miss his guidiance on the holidays to help me learn more about them. I too find my new religion beautiful.
Posted By Shirley Wisotsky, Fairfax, VA

Posted: Dec 29, 2006
Chanukkah
Your site is marvelous. It is the very roots of my religion. I love your rituals, everything as you explain it here. Thank you, thank you for taking the time to help us understand and enrich our lives with the blessings of chanukkah. I want to see more and hear more and learn more. I wish all religions could do what you are doing! You honor yourselves and G-d with this beautiful site. I praise G-d.
Posted By Anonymous, Bronx, New York

Posted: Dec 8, 2007
CHANUKAH
Thank you so much for your very informative website. As a 60 plus woman of Jewish heritage, though I attended Hebrew school as a young child, I never practiced my religion. With the recent passing of my mother I find myself thinking about some of the Jewish traditions that I remember when growing up. We were never a very religious family, but the traditions were a part of our upbringing. As I grow older, so many of those memories that were dormant are surfacing again. The menorah that belonged to my mother, and was passed on to me, became a connection to my parents and my Jewish heritage. Your site is teaching me what I have long forgotten over the years. I just found your website and I know I will come back to it again and again. So thank you again so much for your very educational and well organized site.
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: Nov 13, 2008
good 4 completing assignments thanks
Posted By zak, NMB, FL

Posted: Dec 4, 2008
Chanukkah
I wish to thank you very much for a wonderfully comprehensive web site. As a father of two beautiful jewish daughters and one on the way, I again look forward to Chanukkah and the great traditions that we've celebrated in the past. My only regret is that my daughters cannot taste my grandma's latkes.
Posted By Jason, Plainview, NY

Posted: Dec 18, 2008
Christians Celebrating Hanukkah
Hello. I found this site an amazing one! I always love to celebrate Hanukkah but i am a Christian. Thank you for this guide so i can celebrate a REAL Hanukkah!
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: Dec 19, 2008
helpful
as a convert, this is my first chanukah. this site has been great, more than helpful.
Posted By Jen

 


How-To
Chanukah Guide
The Eight Days of Chanukah
Expand Menorah Wizard
Menorah Wizard
Lighting Guide (Video)
Hanukkah Foods
Expand Dreidel Wizard
Dreidel Wizard
Chanukah Gelt
Showing 1 - 7 of 10
Hanukkah Kids Zone
Hanukkah Recipes
Hanukkah Cards
Hanukkah Shopping
Chanukkah Tidbits
Menorah Gallery
Chanukah News