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11/27/2007
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Eight Days, Eight Themes

Devote the "nights" of Chanukah to family harmony, Torah study, tikkun olam and tolerance, suggest the authors.

by Adena K. Berkowitz and Rivka Haut

How can the true spirit of Chanukah be re-emphasized while not losing the fun of gift giving, family get-togethers, and latke eating and dreidel spinning? We suggest turning this eight-day festival, which begins this year on Tuesday, into one with a different theme every night. In this way, each night of the festival becomes an entity unto itself and allows for greater spiritual meaning for children as well as adults.

So here is our list for eight themes to the eight nights of Chanukah:First Night: Dedicate this night to family harmony, happiness (simcha) and gratitude that we have reached this season of celebrating another Chanukah, appropriate as this is the only night we say the “Shehechiyana,” the prayer that recognizes our appreciation of reaching this point.

Second Night: Make this a night dedicated to Torah study and Jewish education.    Make a promise to yourself that this will be the year that you will dedicate yourself to making time on a weekly basis for Jewish learning, like joining a study group or, participating online with Jewish learning sites. If you already do this, make a commitment to support Jewish education for those who need financial help.

Third Night: Make a toast tonight to the State of Israel, a true miracle in our time. Whatever your political persuasion or viewpoint, make this a night of celebration. Call a friend or relative in Israel and wish them a Happy Chanukah. Make a pledge to visit or revisit Israel and make your voice heard in support of the Jewish state. Fill your table with Israeli food and wine — and don’t forget to add some sufganiot (Israeli donuts) to the latkes (you’ll start your diet another night).  

Fourth Night: Emphasize tikkun olam (repairing the world) — what can you do to help those less fortunate: the poor, the hungry, the victims of war? Make a pledge to volunteer at a soup kitchen, increase your donations to charity, or practice some instant tzedakah and buy some extra gloves and mittens to distribute to those in need.

Fifth Night: Reach out to non-affiliated friends or neighbors by sharing the joy of Judaism; invite someone for Shabbat dinner or candlelighting. If you are not yet involved in synagogue life, make a commitment to dip your toe in the sea of Jewish involvement. Try to attend services once a week, join a synagogue committee, find a way to connect with other Members of the Tribe.

Sixth Night: This is a night to dedicate to spending more tie (quantity as well as quality) with family. If you are fortunate to have family at home or nearby, sit down for a family meal. Turn off the phone and the TV. Reach out to those in your community who are alone. On Shabbat make your table a special place; enhance your meals with words of Torah. Go around the table and ask everyone to share something meaningful that happened during the week.  

Seventh Night: The Talmud teaches that what leaves our mouth is as important as what enters. Make a promise to refrain from idle speech. Gossip is so harmful and its effects are far reaching.

Eighth Night: This final night is a perfect opportunity to dedicate yourself to loving all Jews. Tradition teaches us that the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed 2,000 years ago because of boundless hate. So on the last night of Chanukah, as we recall the rededication of the Temple, make it a night of boundless love for all Jews, no matter what their affiliation. Find ways to reach across denominational divides and strengthen your ties to and  your love for all Jews. Remember what unites us is greater than what divides us. And most of all, Be Happy — it’s Chanukah!

The authors are the co-editors of “Shaarei Simcha-Gates of Joy”(2007)  from which this article is excerpted. It is the first liturgical work written in the modern era by Orthodox women for use in the Orthodox and non-Orthodox community.

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