The Miracle of Hanukkah

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The second blessing that we say before we light the holiday candles praises God for the miracles of Hanukkah.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, in this time.”

What ARE the miracles of Hanukkah? Turn the page to see several explanations. Read a different one each night after you light the hanukkiyah. Members of your family can add their own thoughts, too.

LIGHTING THE HANUKKIYAH

The light from these candles is holy. Their glow illuminates our hearts and trains our eyes to see the wonders of God. Each night the hanukkiyah shines brighter and brighter as we add another candle. The reading for the first night is on page 19.

25th KISLEV

FIRST NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! Against all odds, the Maccabee troops defeated the powerful Syrian Greek army. The Maccabees’ victory-like our other military victories through the years- was a miracle.

26th KISLEV

SECOND NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! The dream of independence motivated the Maccabees to defend their homeland against Greek tyranny. Ideas that inspire action for the sake of godliness and goodness are miracles.

27th KISLEV

THIRD NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! In the face of overwhelming odds, the Maccabees continued to believe that God would save them from their oppressors. Clinging to hope, even at the darkest hour, is a miracle.

28th KISLEV

FOURTH NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! The Maccabees found just enough pure oil to burn for one day. But thanks to God’s miracle, the oil lasted eight days-by then, they made a new supply of oil. At special times, God performs supernatural miracles for our people.

29th KISLEV

FIFTH NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! The Maccabees waged war for the right to live a distinctive Jewish life. The right to worship freely is a miracle of Hanukkah.

30th KISLEV

SIXTH NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! Greek life blinded many in ancient Israel, but the Maccabees weren’t fooled. They saw the hand of God in the glory of a sunrise and the flight of a turtledove. Hanukkah teaches us to look for miracles every day.

1st TEVET

SEVENTH NIGHT

A Great Miracle Happened There! At this season, we remember how Judah Maccabee and his tiny band of followers survived the onslaught of the powerful Greek army. The survival of good over evil, and the spirit over the sword are miracles of Hanukkah.

2nd TEVET

EIGHTH NIGHT

We Pray for Peace, the Greatest Miracle of All. The text of the Hanukkah blessing refers to a single candle as a reminder that peace will come when all hearts and minds act as one single light.

A great Miracle Happened there

In the Middle East there is a war. But I believe there will be peace. If you want a wish or miracle to come true, you should keep believing.

-Danielle Sandler age 12

Even though many terrible things have happened to the Jewish people over the years, the Jewish people and the State of Israel continue to survive.

-Carolyn Adler age 10

God created nature. Nature and life have many miracles like birth, the change of the seasons, and people surviving illness. These are all little miracles that we take for granted.

-Kerry Brodie age 12

The world is living and prospering because humans have fought for what they believe despite attacks and hate. Overall, the miracle is that we are all still alive and proud of who we are.

-Liam Benzvi, age 12; Joseph Willens, age 12

God hears us and is watching over us, and we must have faith for another miracle to happen.

-Jake Frank age 10

You have to have hope, because hope is always there, If you don’t believe in miracles it means that you don’t have hope.

-Rochelle Schatz age 12

There are people working for peace and freedom. I think that’s a miracle. There are heroes protecting Israel and the United States, and they are doing their best to do so.

-Matthew Garczynski, age 10

No matter when you are, there is always a miracle happening, whether it’s small or big. Is it not a miracle that Israel has won every war they’ve fought?

-Natasha Westheimer age 12