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Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His
commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has
preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time.
These are the blessings that are recited as a part of the ritual of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.
The central part of the physical ceremony is the Menorah, which is traditionally a standing candle holder, with places for nine candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, the Shamash − or Servant candle − is lit and then used to light the first candle.
In the seven nights that follow, the Shamash lights each of the other candles in the Menorah in keeping with the sacred traditions of Hanukkah. The Shamash is special, since Jewish law states that the candles are only to look at, and not to be used for light. The Servant candle is allowed to be the useful one and serve the other candles by bringing light to them.
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is a Hebrew word that means dedication or consecration.
This Jewish celebration dates back to 165 BC. The Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated by Judah Maccabee after it had been desecrated by foreign forces.
At the time of the rededication, there remained only a tiny amount of oil that was pure and untainted. Miraculously, the oil continued to burn brightly for eight whole days. On the eighth day, the people thanked God and celebrated his divine provision.
Celebrating Hanukkah is a special time to remember God’s provision in the lives of His chosen people. Today, many people observe this time to reflect on God’s gifts in their lives and to recommit themselves to His will and light, shining in the darkness.
For more information about Hanukkah and services in the KMC, contact Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Bram 480-5753.
