On the First Day of Hanukkah: Five Traditional Activities of the First Night

Hanukkah is a holiday celebrated by the Jewish people. It begins on the date in the Jewish Calendar, the 25th day of Kislev. This is usually in early to late December. God had commanded the Jewish people to hold feasts, fasts and holy days to celebrate the miracles He had performed for them. They were to speak often of His works and teach them to their children so that they would not forget their God and turn their hearts to another god. Although the origin of Hanukkah is post Old Testament Biblical and not included in the commanded feasts, the Jews added it to the feasts and holy days in keeping with tradition.

The miracle of Hanukkah took place in approximately 165BC. The Jews ( then called the Maccabees after a leader) revolted against their current rulers who had forbidden all of their religious practices and defiled their temples with idols. They were victorious and then set about to purify their temple so that they could give thanks to God for the victory. The purification of the temple called for the lightening of the eternal flame which must always burn as commanded in scripture. They found one flask that had been used by the Jewish High Priest but it was only enough oil for one day. It took 8 days to complete the process of pressing and consecrating a new batch. On the second day the miracle happened: the flame kept burning. It not only burned through the second day and night, but all eight days!

These are the most traditional first night activities.

The Blessing

The first night of Hanukkah starts at Sundown with the Blessing. Each night these two blessings are said.

"Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time."

"Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candle(s)."

And this special blessing follows only on the first night.

"Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season."

Lighting the Chanukkiyah

The Chanukkiyah (often mistaken for a Menorah which has 7 candles) is a candelabrum that holds 8 candles to commemorate the eight days that the oil burned and a 9^th candle that sits apart called a the shamash, or servant candle. Some also use a traditional oil lamp Chanukkiyah.

The candle or lamp on the right is lit with the shamash after or during the blessing and burns for at least 30 minutes after sundown. The Chanukkiyah is place in a window so that the world may see and remember the miracle.

Eating Treats Fried in Olive Oil

To celebrate the miracle of the oil eating foods fried in olive oil is a tradition. Potato cakes, and all sorts of fried breads are served with applesauce and sour cream for a nice treat. Kosher foods can be added if it is to be made a main course.

Recipes for yummy Hanukkah foods are available in some other great Hanukkah articles.

The Dreidel

The exact time that the dreidel was created is unknown but it was made to remind the Jews of the miracle. It looks like a top with four sides. On each side is Hebrew script, spelling out "A great miracle happened here." It is used for a gambling game. When it lands the side facing up determines if one wins, loses or has to ante up. On Hanukkah people play for candy, coins and small treats. It was used often as a protection during times of occupation. When Jewish men would gather to speak of and study scripture, they would pull out the dreidel if an officer came near and thus saved themselves from persecution.

Singing

As with any holiday or celebration, the night is filled with singing. Many traditional songs are sung to set the mood of a joyous happiness about this wonderful miracle that God had done. The Jewish Outreach Institute lists the Hebrew and English lyrics to these traditional songs:

Ma'oz Tzur (Rock of Ages)

Mi Y'maleil

I Have a Little Dreidel

Oh Hanukkah

No matter your religion, you can have fun celebrating this joyous event with friends and neighbors. It is the spirit of the season.