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Post by alon on Dec 7, 2017 18:34:15 GMT -8
I got this from the parent synagogue:
Shalom chaverim!
The first night of Chanukkah begins the evening of Tues. Dec. 12th. Attached in this e-mail are a few Chanukkah resources that can be used in the home during Chanukkah. If it is helpful, feel free to use it and pass it on to others that could benefit. I have included the Chanukkah tri-fold, which includes the traditional blessings, and info. I have also included a Chanukkah song booklet that you can printout, including traditional Chanukkah songs that can be sung in the home after lighting the Chanukkah candles.
On last night of Chanukkah is Tues. (Dec. 19th) @ 6pm we will have our community Chanukkah simchah at the synagogue. There will be special music from the CHM worship team, a lighting of the menorah’s, a chanukkah teaching, a judaica gift-giveaway, and a full synagogue of friends and family to spend the last night of Chanukkah with. You won’t want to miss it! Bring Chanukkah snacks to share. Invite as many friends and family to this event as you have.
Rabbi Reuel Dillon
Chavurat HaMashiach
A Messianic Synagogue
“Jew & Gentile, One In Messiah”
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Post by alon on Dec 7, 2017 18:45:30 GMT -8
Asu CHANUkKAH
Chavurat HaMashiach
A UMJA Chartered Messianic Congregation
Chanukkah History:
Chanukkah, the Festival of Dedication or Lights, is celebrated for eight days, commencing on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (December), to commemorate the rededication of the temple for the service of God and the victory over the Syrians and the Hellenists in 165 BCE.
In 334 B.C.E., Alexander the Great conquered Judea and brought to it Greek culture. He didn't force anyone to participate in that culture, but he lowered the taxes for any group willing to accept this way of life. When Alexander died, his empire was divided in four, the Middle Eastern part of the empire was divided into two groups: the eastern kingdom (including modern-day Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon) was called the Seleucid kingdom; the western kingdom (including Egypt) was the Ptolemaic kingdom. These two groups fought one another for political control, and Judea was caught between them.
The Jews of Judea didn't care which group ruled them. They had the Temple, the sacrifices, and the High Priest, who governed the country. It didn't matter to whom they had to pay vassal taxes; the taxes were always too high.
The major political center of Greek life was the polis, the city, and many of the wealthier Jews succeeded in having Jerusalem recognized as a polis. They changed their dress, their names, and their life-style to those of the Greeks, including customs and religion. The Hellenistic Jews took on a Greek worldview. Within the 2nd book of Maccabees this conflict grows. We also see evidence of a distinction between Judean and Hellenised Jews within the apostolic writings.
In 169 B.C.E. the Seleucid King Antiochus IV attacked the Ptolemies. He lost. Word got back to Jerusalem that Antiochus was dead.
Antiochus, of course, was still alive. Furious, he slaughtered a large number of Jews. The Holy Temple was taken and desecrated...
“Moreover, the King sent agents with written orders to Jerusalem and the towns of Judea. Ways and customs foreign to the country were to be introduced. Burnt - offerings, sacrifices, and libations in the Temple were forbidden; Sabbaths and feast-days were to be profaned. Altars, idols, and sacred precincts were to be established; swine and other unclean beasts to be offered in sacrifice. They must leave their sons uncircumcised; they must make themselves in every way abominable, unclean, and profane, and so forget the law and change all their statutes. The penalty for disobedience was death.” (I Maccabees 1:44-50)
However Antiochus was supported by a significant number of Jews called “Hellenists”. The prohibitions established by King Antiochus were intolerable to another group of Jews called the Chasidim ‘faithful’ (not related to the modern-day Chasidim). They fought against these decrees, but they needed leadership. They found this leadership in a priestly family, the Hasmoneans, Mattityahu (Mattathias) and his sons refused to comply and led the fight. Many of the kings officials and the false priest in the desecrated temple were killed. Old Mattityahu Called out to all the people shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the  and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
The Maccabees (Hammers), sons of the Priestly Hasmonean family, which led the Jews in their revolt against the Syrian overlords, entered the Holy Temple in Jerusalem defiled by the Syrian invaders, cleansed it and dedicated it anew to the service of Yisra’el’s God. Then, in memory of their victory, the Maccabees celebrated the first Chanukkah.
Chanukkah is the Hebrew word for “dedication”.
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Post by alon on Dec 7, 2017 18:49:59 GMT -8
Brachot (Blessings )
Baruch attah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b’Yeshua, asher bishmo madlikim anachnu ner shell Chanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us in Yeshua, in whose name we light the Chanukkah lights.
Baruch attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam she-assa nissim l'avoteinu bayamim ha-hem bazman ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who made miracles for our ancestors in their days at this very time of year.
On the first night add:
Baruch attah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam shehecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higiyanu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us and helped us to reach this time.
Hanerot Halalu / These Candles
Hanerot halalu anachnu madlikim Al hanisim v’al hanifla’ot V'al hat'shu’ot v’al hamilchamot She'asita lavoteinu Bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
We kindle these lights on account of the miracles, the wonders, the liberations, and the battles that You carried out for our forbearers in those days at this season.
Lighting The Chanukkiah
The 1st day of Chanukkah is on Kislev 25 on the Jewish calendar, and begins the evening before. Add 1 candle each night.
1) A Chanukkiah (menorah) has nine candleholders, one for the shammash (the server) and eight more for the eight nights of the holiday. Light the shammash first and use it to light the others.
2) On Friday evening, Chanukkah lights are kindled BEFORE the Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, kindle lights AFTER nightfall.
3) Many people place their Chanukkiah on the windowsill where it will shine into the street.
4) On the first night of Chanukkah one light is kindled, on the second night – two lights, and so forth.
5) On the first night the light is placed on the right side. Add the candles from right to left, but light the candles from left to right.
6) Before kindling the lights the blessings are recited.
7) After the lights are kindled, we recite or sing the prayer Hanerot Halalu (see reverse), and sing other Chanukah songs, such as “Maoz Tzur - Rock Of Ages”.
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Post by Elizabeth on Dec 9, 2017 15:16:27 GMT -8
Can you clarify step 5 please? It seemed really obvious till I thought about it.
Is it that you begin placing the candles on day one on the far right, move from right to left in placement adding a new candle for each day, light the server candle, use the server candle to light the other candles moving from left to right, then place the server candle in the center?
This brought back flashbacks of when I lit the altar candles in 6th or 7th grade. We had an unintuitive elaborate process of moving from the center, crossing over somewhere or something, and so forth that I believe required diagrams. Anyway, your directions are probably perfect I just confused myself.
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Post by alon on Dec 9, 2017 16:38:45 GMT -8
Much like lighting the altar candles when you were growing up, lighting the Chanukkiah is tradition. That said, doing things according to tradition is not a bad thing:
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (CJB) Therefore, brothers, stand firm; and hold to the traditions you were taught by us, whether we spoke them or wrote them in a letter.
So the traditional way to light a Chanukkiah is, the first night, set one candle to the far right of the Chanukka menorah. The next night, add a second light to the left of the first one, then add one light each night moving from right to left. Each night, light the newest candle (the one farthest left) first and continue lighting from left to right. So we add candles to the menorah from right to left, then we light them from left to right.
The candles should be in a straight line, however there is no requirement I know of that they must be at the same height. But they must be able to be burned for 1/2 hour after dark. So if, say on Shabbat, you light them before dark they should burn until dark then for another 1/2 hr. They can be wax candles or oil; and olive oil with a cotton wick is preferred. The Shamash, or servant candle must be somehow separated on the menorah. The most common way is to place it in the middle and a bit higher; but almost any method is ok. Some place it on the end with an extra space between it and the last candle. Others place it higher at one end. It does not have to follow the traditional look of a Temple Menorah with two extra candles.
The school of Shammai said to light all eight the first day and one less each night, while Hillel said the opposite. So there is not even agreement on how to light the candles. Therefore if we get some detail wrong we need not fall on our faces and repent. Just do the best yo can and enjoy the season. It is traditional for the families to sit in the light of the menorah and sing, tell Bible stories (especially of the Maccabees). Maybe even queue up some songs on the computer. It is a time of joy set around the menorah. But it is a joy dedicated to God, not many bright lights and a ple of presents.
I make mine each year from wood, always something different. Nothing fancy, but whenever the grand-kids come over during Chanukkah they want to see me light it. I usually let them help. So while the traditions are good, I am not so bound up in them as I will be at the next of the moedim, which is Pesach.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Dec 9, 2017 17:11:55 GMT -8
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Post by mystic on Dec 5, 2018 9:38:50 GMT -8
Lighting The ChanukkiahThe 1st day of Chanukkah is on Kislev 25 on the Jewish calendar, and begins the evening before. Add 1 candle each night. 1) A Chanukkiah (menorah) has nine candleholders, one for the shammash (the server) and eight more for the eight nights of the holiday. Light the shammash first and use it to light the others. 2) On Friday evening, Chanukkah lights are kindled BEFORE the Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, kindle lights AFTER nightfall.3) Many people place their Chanukkiah on the windowsill where it will shine into the street. 4) On the first night of Chanukkah one light is kindled, on the second night – two lights, and so forth. 5) On the first night the light is placed on the right side. Add the candles from right to left, but light the candles from left to right. 6) Before kindling the lights the blessings are recited. 7) After the lights are kindled, we recite or sing the prayer Hanerot Halalu (see reverse), and sing other Chanukah songs, such as “Maoz Tzur - Rock Of Ages”. Hey can you guys advise me on no.2 please? |
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Post by alon on Dec 5, 2018 16:55:28 GMT -8
2) On Friday evening, Chanukkah lights are kindled BEFORE the Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, kindle lights AFTER nightfall.... Hey can you guys advise me on no.2 please?
Dan |
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Post by mystic on Dec 6, 2018 4:42:14 GMT -8
Wait, first, for regular Sabbath, am I supposed to light a regular candle on Friday evenings at 6 and blow it out on Saturday morning?
Also what does "before sundown" mean in this case since it gets dark now around 4, this means as soon as I see the sunset? If yes, what's the situation on a cloudy day, how will I know exactly when to light the Chanukkah candles?
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Post by alon on Dec 6, 2018 8:13:16 GMT -8
Wait, first, for regular Sabbath, am I supposed to light a regular candle on Friday evenings at 6 and blow it out on Saturday morning? Also what does "before sundown" mean in this case since it gets dark now around 4, this means as soon as I see the sunset? If yes, what's the situation on a cloudy day, how will I know exactly when to light the Chanukkah candles?
The biblical day is evening to evening, not 6 to 6. I put a fence around Shabbat and go 1/2 hr before dusk Friday to dark Saturday. And it gets dark about 4:00 PM here this time of year as well. Since you are working from home, you should be able to adjust your hours to accommodate the Sabbath. However if you are not able to get off work, as many aren't, then do the best you can. Have all your preparations made on Thursday so you don't have to cook or stop at the grocery store or do anything else and start your Shabbat as soon as you get off.
You can find charts online that tell when sundown is in your area. However the times for sundown don't change that quickly. If sundown was 4:00 the day before, or even 5 days before, it will be close to 4:00 on Shabbat. If you put a fence around it of at least 1/2 hr you should be ok. Just get candles that will burn for at least an hour. Remember too that lighting candles is a tradition. It's a very beautiful one that should be observed if you can. However the important thing is to honor God's Shabbat by doing no unnecessary work, not engaging in commerce, not cooking food, and by dedicating the day to God. It's a day of complete rest for you.
Dan C |
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Post by mystic on Dec 7, 2018 5:20:34 GMT -8
Hmnn, I don;t know where I got the 6pm from but I know I had seen it somewhere. So since I now know it's from sunset to sundown I have these questions please: 1] Would these candles suffice: www.amazon.com/Shabbat-Candles-Traditional-Shabbos-Hr/dp/B004JQ5JLGIf yes, can you link me to "easy to clean" candle holders for this purpose please? Also since I don't have Sabbath specific candles here today, should I light any of the scented candles I have here just to get started today and blow it out before bedtime? 2] According to this link here: www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htmAnd this info: By the time birkat ha-mazon is done, it is about 2PM. The family studies for a while, talks, takes an afternoon walk, plays some checkers, or engages in other leisure activities. Regarding 'leisure activities", I understand I can't do any bbqing or cooking especially during the summer for my son as I have always done but would I be able to hang out with them, drink a little wine and listen to music or is that forbidden? |
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Post by Elizabeth on Dec 7, 2018 10:53:21 GMT -8
Hmnn, I don;t know where I got the 6pm from but I know I had seen it somewhere. So since I now know it's from sunset to sundown I have these questions please: 1] Would these candles suffice: www.amazon.com/Shabbat-Candles-Traditional-Shabbos-Hr/dp/B004JQ5JLGIf yes, can you link me to "easy to clean" candle holders for this purpose please? Also since I don't have Sabbath specific candles here today, should I light any of the scented candles I have here just to get started today and blow it out before bedtime? 2] According to this link here: www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htmAnd this info: By the time birkat ha-mazon is done, it is about 2PM. The family studies for a while, talks, takes an afternoon walk, plays some checkers, or engages in other leisure activities. Regarding 'leisure activities", I understand I can't do any bbqing or cooking especially during the summer for my son as I have always done but would I be able to hang out with them, drink a little wine and listen to music or is that forbidden? I use tea light candles. They burn for several hours, 3-4, but I personally enjoy them. There's also no mess. I just put them on a decorative mirror made for candles and such. |
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Post by alon on Dec 7, 2018 11:08:04 GMT -8
Hmnn, I don;t know where I got the 6pm from but I know I had seen it somewhere. So since I now know it's from sunset to sundown I have these questions please: 1] Would these candles suffice: www.amazon.com/Shabbat-Candles-Traditional-Shabbos-Hr/dp/B004JQ5JLGIf yes, can you link me to "easy to clean" candle holders for this purpose please? Also since I don't have Sabbath specific candles here today, should I light any of the scented candles I have here just to get started today and blow it out before bedtime? 2] According to this link here: www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htmAnd this info: By the time birkat ha-mazon is done, it is about 2PM. The family studies for a while, talks, takes an afternoon walk, plays some checkers, or engages in other leisure activities. Regarding 'leisure activities", I understand I can't do any bbqing or cooking especially during the summer for my son as I have always done but would I be able to hang out with them, drink a little wine and listen to music or is that forbidden?
Hanging with your son is perfectly ok. Drinking wine is fine as long as you are not drunk. Music is ok too, just be careful of the message they portray.
Dan C |
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Post by mystic on Dec 7, 2018 12:34:33 GMT -8
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Post by alon on Dec 7, 2018 16:51:22 GMT -8
I mostly say the prayers and light the candles, however you can incorporate as much "ritual" (traditions) as you want.
As for being on the computer, for most here this forum is their Messianic community. Also being Messianic we do not hold strictly to Rabbinical Judaism and their interpretations/rulings. The "anything that makes a spark" proscription is one good example. It is not work to be here talking about the things of God. However I would say that on Shabbat we should restrict our usage. No shopping, no buying or money transactions of any type, and generally whatever secular sites you are on make sure they are appropriate. As much as possible, Shabbat is a time dedicated to God. I've talked with both the parent synagogue here and my own, and there is no absolute proscription regarding being on the computer. However all the normal restrictions concerning Shabbat still apply.
Dan C
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- there are 70 faces to 
C
