The meaning of Chanukah, from Morristown’s Temple B’Nai Or

menorah on the green
The menorah on the Morristown Green is lit for the first night of Chanukah in 2010. It is maintained by the Rabbinical College of America-Lubavitch. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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A Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights, which begins tonight, Dec. 16, 2014. What are the origins of this ancient holiday? Rabbi Donald Rossoff of Morristown’s Temple B’Nai Or wrote an excellent Clergy Corner column for us in 2010, and we are delighted to reprise it here today.

THE MEANING OF CHANUKAH

The meaning of Chanukah is symbolized by the legend of that small jar of sacred oil which should only have burned for one night but burned for eight. This symbol means many different things to many different people. Here are a few, all of them “true meanings”:

For many, it symbolizes the enduring strength of faith in God and in God’s power to save, as expressed in the haphtarah (reading from the prophets) for Chanukah from Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might and not by power, but by my spirit, says the Eternal One.”

Rabbi Donald Rossoff of Temple B'nai Or in Morristown. Sharon Sheridan photo
Rabbi Donald Rossoff of Temple B’nai Or in Morristown. Sharon Sheridan photo

For many, especially in America, the light of Chanukah represents religious freedom, commemorating a time when the Jews of Judea fought to preserve their faith and way of life.

For many, the oil that lasted so long symbolizes the eternal presence of the Jewish People, which has struggled for its survival throughout history against overwhelming odds and has endured.

For many, the lights of Chanukah symbolize the strength of the modern State of Israel which arose as a tiny besieged nation and has given so much to the world with its contributions in medicine, technology, education and literature.

For many, it is a reminder that when one feels there is simply no more energy left to do what needs to be done, faith, courage and perseverance calls up renewed resources that one did not think one had.

For many, the Maccabees’ struggle to maintain their own religious expression in the face of the dominant Hellenistic culture is a model for being able to maintain one’s own identity as a minority in the midst of a dominant and attractive majority culture. This message is especially relevant at Christmas time.

In the Jewish tradition, Chanukah is one of the minor holidays when compared to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the three Pilgrimage Holidays of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (The Festival of Weeks) and Sukkot (The Festival of Booths).

There are no special Chanukah services per se in the synagogue -– the primary observance of Chanukah is in the home. It consists of the lighting of the “hanukkiah” which is the specific “menorah” (candelabra) with places for eight lights plus a “shamash” (helper) light.

The candles are lit, beginning with one on the first night, two on the second night, and so on. Brief blessings are recited and often traditional Chanukah songs are sung.

menorah on the green
The menorah on the Morristown Green is lit for the first night of Chanukah. It is maintained by the Rabbinical College of America-Lubavitch. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The hanukiyah is to be put in the window to “advertise the miracle.” Children and adults play with the dreidel (top), signifying the randomness of history, and eat foods cooked in oil to remember the miracle: either “suffganiot” (jelly doughnuts) or “latkes” (potato pancakes).

There is a tradition that while the Chanukah candles are burning, no kitchen cleaning or housework is to be done. Chanukah is celebrated in Israel both in the home and in the public sphere as a day to commemorate the resistance against tyranny and the necessity to maintain a strong defense.

Regarding the giving of gifts, there is a tradition of giving gifts of “gelt,” small coins. Today this is replaced by chocolate gelt – coins wrapped in foil.

I can’t say that Chanukah has totally avoided the over-commercialization that has taken over the Christmas season. In some families, there is a custom of giving and receiving presents for all eight nights, some “large,” some “small.” (Many of us remember getting packs of socks as Chanukah gifts.)

Chanukah can also be a time to turn to others in need. Our Temple, like many synagogues, encourages our congregants to designate at least one “giving night.” We distribute a list of local charities to which they can make donations in place giving each other gifts on a given night of Chanukah.

At Temple B’nai Or, we have a tradition of having a special “Hanukkah Happening” on the Friday evening during Chanukah. Members of the congregation and community bring their menorahs from home and we light up the sanctuary as we kindle them together in prayer and song.

 

Rabbi Donald Rossoff

Temple B’nai Or
60 Overlook Road (near James and Ogden)
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-539-4539

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About the Morristown Area Clergy Council

The Morristown Area Clergy Council is an interfaith group of clergy and congregational representatives who gather for the purpose of mutual support, professional growth, and fellowship. Our mission is to inspire activities promoting justice, religious liberty, and interfaith understanding by educating, organizing for advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and celebration.

The Council came into existence in response to local needs—race riots in Morristown High School, the problem of homelessness, etc. Its hands-on efforts to meet challenges have laid the groundwork for the Community Soup Kitchen, Homeless Solutions and the chaplaincies at Morristown Memorial Hospital and the Morris County Detention Facility.

Two large demonstrations were organized in response to a Morristown visit by a white racist group. Recent efforts included the first interfaith build of Morris County Habitat for Humanity, the organization of the Workers Center of Pathways to Work, and the Hospitality Link homeless program. The Council also co-sponsors an interfaith breakfast on Martin Luther King Day.

 

morristown clergy council
The Morristown Clergy Council in 2010.

 

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