The Blessing of Hanukkah

Tonight at sundown, the celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights will begin…In addition to the latkes,

and sufganiyot that will be eaten and enjoyed,

and the fun that will be had with the dreidel,

there is a prayer of blessing that will be recited on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah:

“Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.”

Amidst the food and fun, and of course the gifts, that have become such a big part of Hanukkah celebrations, it is these prayers of blessing that will bring those celebrating the Festival of Lights back to the real meaning of what the celebration is really about.

And though no one seems to remember Hanukkah and Thanksgiving ever coinciding as they will do this year, these prayers of blessing seem ever so fitting, as they are really prayers of giving thanks.

To all our Jewish chums and family we wish you Happy Hanukkah and a wonderful season of giving thanks for all the miracles, large and small, that make our lives so full of love and joy, and so very, very abundant!