Sarah's Tent

Welcome to the Chanukah page!

This page has been updated for Chanukah 2009!

Dates

Rabbinical calendar: December 12 - 19

Agricultural calendar (Karaite): December 13 - 20

Please remember that the actual holiday begins sunset the day before. So you depending on which calendar you follow, you would either begin Chanukah on sunset 12/11 or sunset 12/13.

** IMPORTANT**
December 11th and 18th at sunset also begins the weekly Sabbath. You should light the Chanukah candles BEFORE you light the Sabbath candles, well in advance of sunset on these days since Torah prohibits kindling a flame on Sabbath. Shemot (Exodus) 35:3.

By any other name.....

Some of you may have noticed that Chanukah is spelled in different ways. You may see it spelled: Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah, or Chanuka. Don't let the spelling confuse you. We are still speaking about the Feast of Dedication.

Studies

Bonnie Wills has prepared a study on Chanukah, which gives you the background of this celebration and why we as believers should celebrate it. To view the study in pdf format click on the Chanukah menorah below.

We highly reccommend the book Light in The Darkness, Hanukkah and the Disciples of Yeshua. This book is published by FFOZ, First Fruits of Zion. It includes the Hanukkah story with excerpts from the book of Maccabees, an anthology of Hanukkah articles, a prophetic Bible study on the book of Daniel and the abomination of desolation, step by step instructions for celebrating Hanukkah, games, recipes, and crafts. This is an excellent book, whether it's your first Hanukkah, or twentieth. FFOZ also is offerring this book along with the seminar on DVD entitled The Last days, Hanukkah and the Rise of the AntiChrist. The DVD is 3.5 hours. Both of these items can be purchased at First Fruits of Zion. 

An excellent website to learn about Chanukah, and also how to celebrate the holiday, is Aish.com. The site has all the information you need: a how-to section, insightful articles, craft ideas, games, coloring, stories, etc. Click here to go to Aish.com's Chanukah section.

Yeshuat Yisrael A nice Chanukah page with the Chanukah story, driedal games, the blessings when lighting the Chanukah candles, recipes. (added 12/05/06)

What do I need?

To have a traditional Chanukah celebration you will need a nine branch menorah, and a set of Chanukah candles. Some of the resources I have listed above will have instructions on how to light the menorah.

Where do I get it?

If you do not have a Judaica store in your area, or other store with a "Kosher" section, then you will have to purchase online. I have purchased in the past from JewishStore.com  They are dependable and their prices are reasonable. I also highly recommend Cassia Gifts, www.cassiagifts.com (Messianic). Listed below are other suppliers I have occasionally purchased from and have never had a problem.

http://www.traditionsjewishgifts.com

http://www.judaism.com/

http://www.judaicawebstore.com/

http://www.judaicaworldwide.com/judaica.asp

http://www.ahuva.com/

http://www.blow-the-shofar-in-zion.com/z-hanukkah.html (Messianic)

How do I do it?

Hoshana Rabbah, a messianic website, has a put together a very nice Messianic candle lighting ceremony for Chanukah. You can access it on the Internet here: Messianic Candle Lighting Ceremony. It is in pdf format and you can download it to your computer and print as many copies as you need.

Aish.com and Chabad.org both have large Chanukah pages with recipes, activities for children, stories, and animated demonstrations on how to light the Chanukah menorah.

Aish.com Chanukah page

Chabad.org Chanukah page

Online Chanukah Activities
(added 12/08/2008)

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/hanukah.htm *

http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah_crafts/hankkuah_crafts.php *

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/hanukkah/index.html  * Very Nice!

Audio Files, prayers and songs *



Chanukah Stories
These stories require MS Word. If you don't have this program you can download the free viewer here.

A Chanukah Story

A Serious Game

Judith

Narration: Chanukah in Story and Song
narrated by Leonard Nimoy, songs by The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble (Audio approx. 1 hour)* Very Nice!



Books for Children

Jason's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story; ages 4-8

By the Hanukkah Light

Frank's Books

** Amazon.com also has a long list of Chanukah books for all ages that can be ordered now and received by Chanukah. Click here. *

Coloring Pages & Fun

Kid's Domain

Family Crafts

Jigsaw Puzzle

http://worksheets.teach-nology.com/misc/hanukkah/ *  Printable worksheets. Nice site!

Online Games

Chanukah desktop wallpaper