Chanukah with Chabad of Sussex County

Sussex County — This year, Chanukah will begin on Friday, Dec. 15, and Chabad of Sussex County has planned an array of programs. A Little History One would have thought that the Jewish people and the ancient Greeks would get along. The Jews tolerated Greek rule from the time of Alexander of Macedonia. Many Jews studied Aristotle and Plato and King Ptolemy had the Jewish Torah translated into Greek. But when King Antiochus attempted to force Hellenism down their throats, the Jews rebelled. There were many acts of courage, but the Maccabees believed their victory came from Above. Eventually, they received a sign that it was so: when they took back Jerusalem and the Temple, they found a single flask of undefiled olive oil, needed to light the Temple Menorah. Although the flask held only enough for a single day, it miraculously burned for eight days, providing just enough time to prepare new oil. To the Jewish people, this was a nod from Above, that, yes, the One G-d of Israel was with us all along. What is a Miracle? We may not readily recognize that even natural phenomena are, in essence, evidence of the miraculous hand of G-d—until our hearts are stirred by a beautiful sunset, or a glimpse of wildflowers in bloom. There is another sort of miracle; an event so striking, so far beyond rational explanation, that we cannot help but recognize it. This is the kind of miracle that Chanukah calls to mind. When one day’s supply of oil lasts eight full days, we sit up and take notice. When the ill-equipped Maccabees vanquish the forces of a mighty Imperial oppressor, we realize that nothing is impossible for G-d. Light Up Your World Night has fallen, darkness creeps in. But you stand poised to strike back, your tools of light: eight candles, a lit shamash candle in your hand and the official blessings about to ring from your mouth. Do it at the front window. Or the doorway. Somewhere where your light will be seen and make a difference. First say the blessings, then start lighting. On the first day, light one candle—the one on the extreme right. On the second day, add a candle to the left of yesterday’s candle and light the new one first. On the third day—you get the pattern. Once you’re done, place the shamash higher or lower than the rest. Then say or sing the “Hanairot Hallalu.” We light the menorah on Friday before lighting the Shabbat candles. And we make sure to use candles that will burn until nightfall plus a half hour. On Saturday, we don’t touch that menorah until dark. . Make sure your menorah is kosher. The main rules you need to know are: all eight candles should be in a row on the same level and the shamash should be higher or lower than the rest.The ideal menorah uses olive oil, just like the original menorah. Lighten Up Your Kids It’s called Chanukah Gelt. The kids line up and you give them each a few coins. Parents do it, teachers too. And nowadays, they have us doing this for eight days straight! Once you get to the last day, teach your kids how to give ten percent of their cash holdings to a good cause. How To Play Dreidel On the sides of the dreidel are four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Shin. These stand for the Hebrew words, “Ness Gadol Haya Sham.” That means, “A great miracle happened there.” Everyone contributes equally to the kitty. Take turns spinning the dreidel. If the kitty empties out, everyone contributes equally once again. If it lands on: Nun—do nothing; Gimmel—take the whole kitty; Hay—take half the kitty; Shin—pay into the kitty. Community Celebrations A public menorah lighting, will be held outside Sparta Plaza at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. Local dignitaries will attend the event and partake in the lighting of the Menorah. Two cars displaying menorahs on their roofs will drive through the streets of Sussex County this Chanukah. Take a look how many lights are burning and feel free to honk the horn or wave. Contact Chabad to recommend someone who would appreciate a Chanukah visit, complete with latkes, gelt, menorahs and smiling faces. Call 9730726-3333.