This is the reason that my household will always pour out blessings on Israel/Jewish people. I will always honor them because my God tells me to do so in His Word and I always want to honor Him!
I thought a little education on Hanukkah might be in order for those that don't know much about it.
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew Calendar, which this year occurs from the evening of December 14th to the 22nd in the Gregorian Calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shammash (שַׁמָּשׁ, "attendant"). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival.
The name "Hanukkah" derives from the Hebrew verb "חנך", meaning "to dedicate", because on Hanukkah, the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple.
The reason for the Hanukkah lights is not for the "lighting of the house within", but rather for the "illumination of the house without", so that if a passersby should see it they'd be reminded of the holiday's miracle.
Hanukkah lights should usually burn for at least half an hour after it gets dark.
Typically two blessings (brachot; singular: brachah) are recited during this eight-day festival when lighting the candles. On the first night only, the shehecheyanu blessing is added, making a total of three blessings.
The blessings are recited before each candle is lit. On the first night of Hanukkah one light (candle or oil) is lit on the right side of the menorah, on the following night a second light is placed to the left of the first but it is lit first, and so on, proceeding from placing candles right to left but lighting them from left to right over the eight nights.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner Hanukkah.
Translation: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light[s].
After the lights are kindled the hymn Hanerot Halalu is recited.
It is customary for women not to work for at least the first half-hour of the candles' burning, and some have the custom not to work for the entire time of burning. It is also forbidden to fast or to eulogize during Hanukkah.
Anyhow, I thought you'd enjoy learning a bit about this holy holiday of the Jewish people.
