Chanukah rituals

An encyclopaedia probably should not incorporate the full text of religious rituals, beyond perhaps one or two sentence excerpts. This isn't a manual for observant Judaism, Christian rules, or Islamic law. A shorter version of this material should be incorporated into the Chanukah entry, and this page deleted. Only if the Chanukah entry grows long, and needs to be broken into smaller sub-sections should sub-pages like this be made. RK

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The Jewish holiday of Chanukah (Feast of Dedication) has relatively simple religious rituals. Some aspects are practiced at home by the family, other aspects are communal.

Typically 3 blessings (Brachahs) are recited during this eight-day festival. On the first night of Hannukah, Jews recite all three blessings, on all subsequent nights, they recite blessings number 1 and 2. On the first night of Chanukah one light (candle, lamp, or electric) is lit on the right side of the Menorah, on the following night a second light is placed to the left of the first and is lit first proceeding from left to right, and so on each night.

The First Brachah. 

Barukh atah Adonai, 
Eloheynu melekh ha-olam, 
asher kid'shanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Chanukah. 

Praised are You, O Lord, 
Our God, King of the Universe, 
Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah lights. 

The Second Brachah. 

Barukh atah Adonai, 
Eloheynu melekh ha-olam, 
she-asah nisim la'avoteynu, ba-yamim ha-hem, ba-zman ha-zeh. 

Praised are You, O Lord, 
Our God, King of the universe, 
Who performed wondrous deeds for our fathers, in ancient days, at this season. 

The Third Brachah. 

Barukh atah Adonai, 
Eloheynu melekh ha-olam, 
she-heche'yanu, ve-kiy'manu, ve-higi'anu la-zman ha-zeh. 

Praised are You, O Lord, 
Our God, King of the universe, 
Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. 

After kindling the lights, the Hanerot Halalu prayer is recited.

HANEIROT HALALU - THESE LIGHTS....

Haneirot halalu anachnu madlikin
Al hanissim ve'al haniflaot
Al hatshu-ot ve'al hamilchamot
She-asita la'avoteynu
Bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh
Al yedey kohanecha hakdoshim.

Vechol shmonat yemey Chanukah
Hanerot halalu kodesh hem,
Ve-ein lanu reshut lehishtamesh bahem
Ela lirotam bilvad
Kedai lehodot u'lehalel
leshimcha hagadol
Al nissecha veal nifleotecha
ve-al yeshuotecha.

We light these lights
For the miracles and the wonders,
For the redemption and the battles
That you made for our forefathers
In those days at this season,
Through your holy priests.

During all eight days of Chanukah
These lights are sacred
And we are not permitted to make
Ordinary use of them,
But only to look at them;
In order to express thanks
And praise to Your great Name
For your miracles, Your wonders
And your salvations.