By: Ayelet-Menorah

The Jewish holiday known as Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, which falls in December. It is a celebration of the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after it had been desecrated by the Syrians. Chanukah lasts for eight days. It is observed by the lighting of a new candle each night for eight days.
This holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which is commemorated by the Hebrew word Chanukah, which translates to “dedication.”

There are many different activities involved in the celebration of Hanukkah. In addition to lighting one candle on the menorah each day, daily religious practices can also involve reading from the Bible, reciting some of the Psalms, offering charity, and singing a specialized hymn.

When Is Chanukah?

The festival of Chanukah begins on the evening of the 24th of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts for eight days. In most years, it falls during December on the civil calendar. The holiday of Chanukah will take place from December 18th to December 26th, 2022.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane for a moment:

The Seleucids were Syrian Greeks who ruled the Holy Land in the second century BCE. During their reign, they attempted to coerce the people of Israel into adopting Greek culture and beliefs rather than the practice of mitzvot (Jewish religious obligations) and faith in God. One of the mightiest armies on earth was defeated by a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews led by Judah the Maccabee. They drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and rededicated it to the service of God. Against all odds, they were led by Judah the Maccabee.

When they tried to light the Menorah in the Temple, which is a seven-branched candelabrum, they discovered that there was only one cruse of olive oil that had avoided being contaminated by the Greeks, but it was only enough to last for one day. They somehow managed to light the menorah, and the supply of oil meant for just one day lasted for the entire eight-day period until fresh oil could be produced by the requirements for ritual cleanliness.

The celebration of Chanukah was created by the wise men of Israel as a way to celebrate and draw attention to these miraculous events.

The lighting of the menorah each evening serves as the centerpiece of the celebration. The menorah has nine flames, of which one is the shamash, also known as the “attendant,” which is responsible for lighting the other eight candles. On the very first night, we will just kindle a single fire. The following evening, a further flame is ignited in the fire. By the end of the eighth night of Chanukah, each of the eight candles has been lit.

Chanukah in Nigeria

Jews in Nigeria are included in the festivities and are not excluded. When we find lights and various hymns coming from Jewish homes scattered all over the country, it is typically a beautiful sight in many homes. In the Sights and Sounds of 5780 Chanukah Celebration In Eight Congregations Across Jewish Nigeria, we can see that these synagogues are located all over the country. We come across communities of Jews who have gathered together to study the Torah and have a good time playing Chanukah games. This year is not an exception, as a large number of Jews have been observed shopping for menorahs and candles in preparation for the festival.

Before lighting the menorah, special blessings are recited, which are frequently set to a traditional melody. After the menorah has been lit, traditional songs are sung.

The candles are lit in the opposite direction of their placement in the menorah. They are lit from left to right, with the most recent candle always being lit first. First, the assistance candle, or shamash, is lit, and then it is used to light the other candles.

Every home should have a menorah, and each member of the household should take turns lighting it and displaying it in a doorway, window, or other prominent location. Additionally, the menorah is illuminated in synagogues and other public locations all across the world. In recent years, thousands of enormous menorahs have begun to appear all over the world in front of municipal halls and legislative buildings, as well as in shopping malls and parks.

In order to praise and thank God for “delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, and the wicked into the hands of the righteous,” we recite the special Hallel prayer every day and also add the verse V’Al HaNissim to our daily prayers as well as the Grace After Meals.

What are our options if the first day of Chanukah happens on a Friday instead?
On Friday afternoon, care should be made to light the menorah before the Shabbat candles are ignited, and the Chanukkah candles should not be lit again until Saturday evening, after the conclusion of Shabbat.

Other Chanukkah post on the Blog: Shabbat Hanukkah” With Professor William Miles In The Garden City Of Port Harcourt (Southern Nigeria)

Festival Symbolic Meals, Games, and Gifts

Due to the fact that the miracle that occurred during Chanukah required oil, it is usual to consume items that were fried in oil. The potato latke (pancake) topped with applesauce or sour cream is a staple in Eastern European cuisine, while the jelly-filled sufganya (doughnut) is a perennial favorite in Israel. Here in Nigeria, we will be serving our famous akara balls (bean cakes).

It is traditional to play the game known as “dreidel,” which is a four-sided spinning top that has the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei, and shin, which are an abbreviation for the word “dreidel.” “There was a wonderful miracle that took place there (Hebrew: nes gadol hayah sham). The outcome of the game, which is typically played for a pot of cash, nuts, or other goods, is determined by the letter that the dreidel falls on when it is spun.

People have a tendency, in today’s consumer-driven society, to place a tremendous deal of weight on the act of giving Chanukah gifts. However, the customary way to celebrate Chanukah is to hand out money in the form of Chanukah gelt to children. The youngsters are given the chance to offer tzedakah (charity) in addition to being rewarded for exemplary behavior and dedication to the study of Torah when they receive cash presents (charity). Because of this, a new trend known as “chocolate gelt” wrapped in aluminum foil has emerged.”

Message from the Light

The previous Rebbe used to say, “We must pay close attention to what the candles are saying.” He would make this statement after recommending that people spend time in close proximity to the Chanukah lights. So, what exactly are the flames that are flashing trying to tell us? Here are some messages:

1. You should never be afraid to speak up for what you believe in. Although they were up against insurmountable obstacles, Judah Maccabee and his band persisted in their mission. They went into the fight of their lives with a prayer on their tongues and trust in their hearts, and they came out victorious. We are able to perform the same thing.

2. Strive for ever-greater heights of morality and Torah observance at all times. Yesterday may have gotten by with a single flame, but today calls for something significantly more impressive.

3. Just a touch of brightness goes a long way. The lighting of the Chanukah candles occurs just as the sun is about to set. They shine a light out into the growing darkness on the surrounding streets from their perch in the doorway. Regardless of how dark it is outside, a candle of godly goodness has the power to turn darkness into light.

4. Take the fight to the public square. Because the principal Chanukah mitzvah is performed in public, the holiday is distinctive in this regard. Being Jewish at heart or even just practicing Jewish traditions in your household is not enough. The holiday of Chanukah imparts upon us the wisdom to illuminate the world around us with the divine light of deeds performed.

5. You should not be embarrassed to perform mitzvahs, even if doing so will make you feel strange. Be more like a menorah, which freely proclaims its radiance and individuality for all to see and appreciate.

Sights and Sounds of Chanukkah Across Sub-Saharan Jewish Communities

About a week ago, in Cote D’lviore, history was made with the formal establishment of SAJA, a Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance. Jews from 10 African countries, including the island of Madagascar, attended this historic gathering. The group banded together to help Africa’s Jewish communities recover spiritually, economically, and via increased access to Jewish education. Many people on both sides of the border have yearned for this kind of cooperation and harmony for a long time, and Kulanu, who invested a great deal of time and energy into organizing the conference, made it possible.

On the first night of Chanukkah, after lighting the first festival candle, professor Yehudah Firmin, our Ivorian host, presided over a farewell sumptuous feast in the synagogue. Even before she and her husband, Rabbi Gerald, and their grandson, Azaria, left for the airport, Bonita Sussman gave a stunning address (at the Golf Hotel), in which she thanked everyone present, wished the alliance well, and said her goodbyes.

The group returned home the following day, flying through many African airports along route, and documented their experience with photos and real-time updates. Their overwhelming feelings of appreciation, great achievement, and happiness were inspiring. Kulanu donated three Torah scrolls to Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, bringing the desire of having a/additional Torah scroll in their respective communities to fruition. Imagine landing in Abidjan with a dream and then returning home with a Torah scroll on the airplane. These recipients have without a doubt witnessed the miracle of Chanukah! Therefore, in the spirit of Chanukkah, there is no better moment than now to bathe in the available spiritual energy and magic of the season, dreaming of concrete methods to realize the goals and dreams of the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance.

Wishing everyone a happy festival of light!

Chag Channukah Sameach!

ABOUT THE WRITER: Ayelet Menorah is a young Nigerian writer and a graduate of mass communication from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State. She is a poetess, an experienced Jewish travel tour guide, a blogger, and a social media content creator.

Upcoming Stories in the Jewish Nigeria Blog:

1. The role of Women in Judaism
2. Purim Celebration across Nigerian Jewish communities
3. Establishing a Typical Jewish community settlement in Nigeria
4. Rising cases of antisemitism in Nigeria and globally