Blessings on the Menorah

thank you for posting this- It's a mitzvah:) I had forgotten the entire prayer.

Tonight I have invited some non-Jewish friends to celebrate the holiday with us. We have just moved to a new community and I miss my family and granddaughter. I am hoping that this is the start of a new tradition for me. This website helped me practice the prayers and songs so that I know that I am doing them correctly. I really appreciate the help, but most of all I am grateful for the feeling I got when I spent the last hour reading and listening!

On my paternal side, as far as I know, practice of Judaism began with my grandfather. My wife's last name is Schaffer (sometimes Ashkenazi) and she claims to be Christian, but observes Jewish holidays with me. What strikes me is that when she reads the blessings, tears come to her eyes at the beauty of the words. My ancestry goes back to Darius, where it is written in 1 Maccabees 12, "Darius our brethren." I have a noble European background, which I know is likened to Edom, but I love my wife, and I love Judaism. Likewise, I see that there is an Edomite Zerah, and Zerah is also a son of Judah. Each day I pray that my son will choose Judaism instead of Edom.

The special candle meanings have always been a part of my tradition as well and I too have lost my sheets. Fortunately my parents still have copies so they are going to send them to me, but in the mean time you can see the meanings on page 7 of a brochure from Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville. Found it through some mad googling and that's how I saw your post too. I can only type so much here so if you want to see the longer sentences, google the congregation. Hope this helps!

First Candle: Light, Second: Torah, Third: Justice, Fourth: Mercy, Fifth: Holiness, Sixth: Love, Seventh: Patience, Eighth: Courage

Tonight we are thankful for the ritual and tradition of Chanukah. May this holiday be a reminder that we as a world are still fighting for the oppressed and seek freedom for all faiths.

Many years ago now, not being observant nor knowledgable, I told my Mom I wanted to light the Chanukah lights. She went to a reform synagogue and got me a book on the Jewish Festivals and Holidays . The Rabbi gave her the candle lighting prayers in hebrew and english and another sheet. It listed the meaning of each candle. Just a short sentence or two but it was beautiful and the symbolism taught lessons appreciated by all people of all faiths. For example, the first candle represented “Light’ and it said something like-- but not exactly, “The first candle reminds of Him who said, ‘Let there be light’ and guided us out of darkness and taught us and people of all lands the light of religious freedom.” I think….I could be mixing a couple different ones together (?). I just don’t remember. There was one for “Peace”, and one for “Justice for all” . I pulled that sheet of paper out each year and read the appropriate “meaning” of the newly added candle after the lighting. Nei Many years ago now, not being observant nor knowledgable, I told my Mom I wanted to light the Chanukah lights. She went to a reform synagogue and got me a book on the Jewish festivals and holidays . The Rabbi gave her the candle lighting prayers in hebrew and english and another sheet. It listed the meaning of each candle. Just a short sentence or two but it was beautiful and the symbolism taught lessons appreciated by all people of all faiths. For example, the first candle represented “Light’ and it said something like-- but not exactly, “The first candle reminds of Him who said, ‘Let there be light’ and guided us out of darkness and taught us and people of all lands the light of religious freedom.” I think….I could be mixing a couple different ones together (?). I just don’t remember. There was one for “Peace”, and one for “Justice for all”. I pulled that sheet of paper out each year and read the appropriate “meaning” of the newly added candle after the lighting. Neighbor kids use to come over to light the candles with me because there was nothing that could be objectionable nor contrary to their own religious beliefs. I kept the prayers and this “meaning” paper in the book of festivals so I’d always know where they were. Somehow, several years ago, both pieces of paper got separated from the book and I’ve been looking every since. I contacted local synagogues but no one knew what I was talking about. Perhaps it was something that Rabbi had written himself or was something someone else handed down to him. If anyone knows what I’m referring to and has it, I’d love to get a copy of it. Thank you. RM, Seattle WA

very inspirational

I so appreciate this. I've been learning the Hebrew language and really getting to know the culture and I'm in-love!!!! This means so much to me as this is the first year I have celebrate ALL the Feasts and its been quite an adventure in my life. again... THANK YOU!!!!!

I used these prayers to celebrate my first Hanukkah last year, and I am practicing them again already (October) to have and teach Hanukkah this year.

I appreciate them very much.

Dear God,

Thank you for let us arrive to this day. Thank you for your blessings for Chanukah. May God sustain and teach us lessons everyday on how to worship better.

Thank you so much! Chanukah Sameach!