Hanukkah Made Easy from AmightyWind Ministries

Homemade Hanukkah Menorah + How to Light the Menorah, Blessings & Songs

A Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukiah, has 8 Hanukkah lights. There is also a 9^th light called the Shamash (Helper or Servant), which is set apart & whose flame is used to light the others at the beginning, and reserved to light the others in case their flame is extinguished or go out. For Messianic Jews, this represents YAHUSHUA, who is the Light of the World. For detailed instructions on which candles to light each night, read Start and End on the Right, Light from the Left at the end of this document. Unless otherwise specified, all songs below are near-literal translations. Print & use this when you light your menorah; you may say the prayers/blessings in either English or Hebrew.

If you do not have a menorah, you can make one by lining up 8 tealights or candles with a Shamash, a 9^th candle set aside and higher than the rest. Make sure to place this on a fire-safe surface! Tealights make is easy for families to have several menorahs. You can also take the tealights out of the cups they come in and use these cups as an oil menorah you would only need to buy wicks or floating wicks. You can buy these at a Judaica store, online, or ask around at a craft or home and garden store.

3 Major Steps for Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah:

Before the steps, you may open by praying from your heart. Messianic Jews may want to read part of or all of these Scriptures, or chose different Scriptures for different nights:

John 8: 12

...YAHUSHUA spoke again to the people, HE said, I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows ME will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.

Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And HE will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of HIS government and peace there will be no end. HE will reign on Davids throne and over HIS kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of YAHUVEH Almighty will accomplish this.

[1] First, light the Shamash ONLY and then say the Hanukkah Blessings directly below. [2] After the blessings, light/kindle the Hanukkah candles/wicks for that night & read or sing Hanerot Hallalu (below) [3] Last, sing Maoz Tsur Rock of Ages (also below you may read it, if you do not know the melody).

To end the night, pray, read Scriptures, sing songs, play games or tell Hanukkah stories in any combination. Praise songs like Light of the World, Here I am to Worship are also appropriate.

Step 1 Hanukkah Blessings Birxat L Hanukkah

Messianic Jews may add to the blessings To the Glory of YAHUSHUA our Messiah Likvod YAHUSHUA haMashiach shelanu, Or HaOlam. Say the blessings in this order:

Blessed are You, YAHUVEH our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commands and commanded* us to light - the lights of Chanukah. *(alternative: allowed instead of commanded there is no command in the Bible to light the Hanukkah lights)	Barux Atah YAHUVEH Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu bi-mitzvo-sav, Vi-tzivanu* li-had-lik ner shel Chanukah. (*alternative for those who prefer it: v'hir'shanu instead of vi-tzivanu )
Blessed are You, YAHUVEH our God, King of the universe, Who wrought miracles, for our fathers, in those days - at th-is time.	Barux Atah YAHUVEH Elo-heinu melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim l'avotenu bayamim hahem - baz'man hazeh.

3^rd & Last Blessing, done on 1^st night only:

Blessed are You, YAHUVEH our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us - to this time.

Baruch atah YAHUVEH eloheinu melekh ha'olam shehexehyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu lazman hazeh.

Step 2 - Lighting the Lights - Hanerot Hallalu

After the first Hanukkah light is lit, or after all lights are lit, this is sung or read (you decide):

Arranged in verses for folk melody - Hanerot Hallalu

Below is an arrangement for the popular folk melody for these words. If you only want to sing the first 2 verses that is okay and commonly done. You do not have to sing it at all, but can read it instaed. If reading/chanting, you can simply read either the English or Hebrew below without repeating lines:

These holy lights, we do light These holy lights, we do light for-the-miracles and-the-wonders and-the-salvations and-the-wars That-you-did for-our-Fathers That-you-did for-our-Fathers in those days- in those days in those days- at this time By the hands of your holy priests By the hands of your holy priests in all-eight-days - in all-eight-days in all-eight-days - of Hanukkah The holy lights, sacred are they The holy lights, sacred are they we not permitted mundane use of them but-to look-at-them, look-at-them only To give thanks and-praise your name To give thanks and-praise your name your great name for-your miracles and-your wonders and Salvation

Hanerot halalu anu madlikin hanerot halalu anu madlikin al haNisim ve'al hanifla'ot ve'al hateshuot ve'al hamilchamot. She'asita la'avoteinu, she'asita la'avoteinu bayamim hahem, bayamim hahem, bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh Al yedei kohaneicha hakedoshim Al yedei kohaneicha hak'doshim vekol sh'monat, vekol sh'monat vekol sh'monat yemei hachanukah hanerot halalu kodesh hem hanerot halalu kodesh hem ve'ein lanu reshut lehishtamesh bahem, ela lir'otam, lir'otam bilvad Kedai lehodot u'halel leshimxa Kedai lehodot u'halel leshimxa - leshimcha ha gadol al nissecha Veal nifleotecha ve-al yeshuotecha

Step 3 Sing Maoz Tsur

one or more verses sung after the lighting of the Hanukkah lights. The English below is a near literal translation of the Hebrew. There is a popular English version of the song also, known as Rock of Ages. The last line of each verse is sung twice

Rock of my Salvation, tis good to sing your praises Restore my-house of prayer, & there well bring thanks-offerings When youve prepared destruction - for the blaspheming-foes Then well celebrate - with psalms - hanukat hamizbe'ah (the altars dedication) The Greeks gathered against-me, in the days of the Hashminim breached the walls of my-towers, defiled all the holy oil but from the remnant of-the flasks, a miracle for the shoshanim* wi-se me-n declared eight days for songs and jubilation Bare Your Holy Arm - and draw the End, for salvation (alternative: and draw the return of YAHUSHUA) Avenge your servants blood - from the wicked nation our deliverance delayed too long - with no end to evil days Oust them to the shadows - of death - raise up the 7 Shepherds* *Shoshanim lilies, represents the Jews; 7 Shepherds see Micah 5:2-5

Ma'oz Tzur Yeshu'ati, lekha na'eh leshabe'ah. Tikon beit tefilati, vesham toda nezabe'ah. Le'et takhin matbe'ah mitzar hamnabe'ah. Az egmor beshir mizmor hanukat hamizbe'ah. Yevanim nikbetzu alai, azai bimei Hashmanim. Ufartzu homot migdalai, vetim'u kol hashmanim. Uminotar kankanim na'asa nes lashoshanim. Bnei vina yemei shmona kav'u shir urenanim. Hasof zroa kodshekha, vekarev ketz hayeshu'a. (alternative: vekarev hazera shel YAHUSHUA) Nkom nikmat dam avadeikha me'uma haresha'a. Ki arkha hasha'a, ve'ein ketz limei hara'a. Dkheh admon betzel tzalmon, hakem lanu ro'im shiv'a.

Rock of Ages (popular English version)

Rock of Ages, let our song; Praise Thy saving power;
Thou, amidst the raging foes, Wast our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us, But Thine arm availed us,
And Thy Word Broke their sword When our own strength failed us. x2

Kindling new the holy lamps, Priests, approved in suffering,
Purified the nation's shrine, Brought to God their offering.
And His courts surrounding Hear, in joy abounding,
Happy throngs, Singing songs With a mighty sounding. x2

Children of the martyr race, Whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs, Where ye may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering That the time is nearing
Which will see All men free, Tyrants disappearing. x2

Al HaNissim for Purim and Hanukkah

usually said during prayers or Grace after Meals, but on some days, you may want to read it after lighting. (The first part of it is also contained in the beginning of some versions of Hanerot Halalu).

And [we thank You] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our ancestors in those days, at this time...(continued for Hanukkah below).

Al HaNissim for Hanukkah

In the days of Matityahu, the son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean and his sons, when the wicked Hellenic government rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will. But You, in Your abounding mercies, stood by them in the time of their distress. You waged their battles, defended their rights, and avenged the wrong done to them. You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and the wanton sinners into the hands of those who occupy themselves with Your Torah. You made a great and holy name for Yourself in Your world, and effected a great deliverance and redemption for Your people Israel to this very day. Then Your children entered the shrine of Your House, cleansed Your Temple, purified Your Sanctuary, kindled lights in Your holy courtyards, and instituted these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your Great Name.

Arrangement for Popular Melody for Al HaNissim

For-the-mircles, and-the-redemption for mighty-deeds, and-the-salva-tions and-the wars the you wrought for our Fathers in those days at this time

Al HaNisim veal haPurkan Veal HaGvurot Veal HaTshuot VealMilxamot sheasita laAvoteynu Bayamim hahem bazman hazeh

Megillat Antiochus/ Megillat Chanukah Excerpt

(Megillat Antiochus is not very accurate, because it is not 100% inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, so when reading that book/scroll - use discretion. The same applies to the books 1 & 2 Macabees, but not to the same extent. This books appear to be compilations, with some parts inspired and some not-so).

Excerpt begins here:

The Hasmoneans entered the Sanctuary, rebuilt the gates, closed the breaches, and cleansed the Temple court from the slain and the impurities. They looked for pure olive oil to light the Menorah, and found only one bottle with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) so that they were sure of its purity. Though its quantity seemed sufficient only for one day's lighting, it lasted for eight days owing to the blessing of the GOD of heaven who had established His Name there. Hence, the Hasmoneans and all the Jews alike instituted these eight days as a time of feasting and rejoicing, like any festival prescribed in the Torah, and of kindling lights to commemorate the victories YAHUVEH had given them. Mourning and fasting are forbidden on Chanukah, except in the case of an individual's vow which must be discharged. Nevertheless, the Hasmoneans did not prohibit work on this holiday.

From that time on the Greek government was stripped of its renown. The Hasmoneans and their descendants ruled for two hundred and six years, until the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple, Holy House).

And so the Jews everywhere observe this festival for eight days, beginning on the twenty-fifth of Kislev. These days, instituted by Kohanim (Priests), Levites and Sages of Temple times, shall be celebrated by their descendants forever.

The Al-mighty Who performed for them a miracle and wonder, may He perform for us miracles and wonders. And we should see the fulfilment of what is written (Michah 7:15) "As in the days when you left the land of Egypt I will show MY wonders."

Start and End on the Right, Light from the Left

Facing & starting from the right side of the menorah, prepare/add your oil cups or candles (right to left) for that day, COUNTING UP from day 1 to whichever day of Hanukkah it may be. On Day 1, we have the Shamesh and 1 Hanukkah light; on Day 2, the Shamash and 2 Hanukkah lights on Day 3, the Shamash and 3 Hanukkah lights etc. until Day 8.

When you are facing the front of the menorah, you always start by adding/counting the candles/days from the right side (like reading Hebrew). But when you light them, you do the opposite and start from the left (like reading English). This means you will start and end on the right. The easy way to remember this is that the right way is to start and end on right. You COUNT UP to add candles, and COUNT DOWN to light them. (You do not have to count them out loud). Remember you light from the left. This should be easy to remember, both words start with the letter L.

After the blessings are said, light the wicks COUNTING DOWN the days (left to right) from the newest day to day 1. This way you start and end on the right side of the Menorah.

Always be sure to use the light from the Shamash to light the Hanukkah lights.

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