Please join with us in the Gold Family Hanukah Service, from www.dgold.info
All are gathered near the menorah. On each of the eight nights at dusk, this ceremony takes place. The father usually conducts this ceremony but the honor may be given to others as the family wishes.
On the first night of Hanukah, at dusk, place one candle at the
extreme right of the Hanukah lamp (the Menorah) -- each night,
place the candles from right to left, and light them from left
to right.
The Servant light (the shamus) is the kindling candle. There is
a special niche in the Menorah in which the lighted shamus candle
is placed after kindling the other candles. On the first night,
one candle plus the shamus candle are kindled and so on until
the eighth night when there are eight candles plus the shamus
candle.
Baruch ata adonai elokhainu melech ha-olam
asher kidshanu b'mitzvotsav
v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukah.
Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world,
Who has sanctified us by Thy commandments,
and bidden us kindle the Hanukah lights.
Baruch ata adonai elokhainu melech ha-olam
she-osah nisim la-avotsainu
ha-yomim ho-hem bazman hazeh.
Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world,
Who didst wonderous things for our forefathers,
in days of old at this season.
* First day of Hanukah only:
Baruch ata adonai elokhainu melech ha-olam
shehekeyanu v'keey'manu
v'hee-gee-anu lazman hazeh.
Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world,
Who has granted us life, sustained us,
and permitted us to celebrate this joyous festival.
Read the blessing for each candle:
The servant light, or shamus (every evening)
As one candle may kindle many others and yet lose none of its own light, so Judaism has kindled the light of truth for many religions in many lands and still shines brightly through the ages.
The First Day
The first light tells of Him whose first command was "Let there be light." The darkness of idol worship was shattered when Israel brought radiant knowledge of one God. "I am the First and I am the Last," saith the Lord.
The Second Day
The second is the light of the Torah. Israel's book of law has brought learning and truth to the whole western world. "Thy commandment is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
The Third Day
The third is the light of justice. No nation can endure which is unjust whether to the strong or the weak. "Justice - Justice shalt thou follow," as the grandest commandment of Moses, our teacher.
The Fourth Day
The fourth is the light of mercy. Cruelty hardens the heart and destroys friendship. "Do justice and love mercy" was the teaching of Micah, the prophet.
The Fifth Day
The fifth is the light of holiness. Purity of thought, nobility of action makes all of life sacred. The challenge to man to rise to his sublime highest is expressed in the Bible. "Ye shall be holy for I, the Lord your God, am holy."
The Sixth Day
The sixth is the light of love. When the love which our parents give us makes all our life beautiful, we learn to understand the Biblical words, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul and with all thy might."
The Seventh Day
The seventh is the calm light of patience. Nothing can be achieved in haste. The spreading tree and the soul of man grow slowly to perfection. Thus sang King David, "Trust in the Lord, wait patiently for Him."
The Eighth Day
The eighth is the light of courage. Let truth and justice be your armor and fear not. Judah Maccabee, the hero of Hanukah, lived by the words which Moses spoke to Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage."
webpage by D. Gold 2002, revised 2004 dgold.info Anyone may use this Hanukah Service. Feel free to copy or print.
