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Jewish Life & Celebrations

Chanukah

Chanukah Blessings and Candlelighting

“CHANUKAH BLESSINGS”
(Sung to Traditional Melody)

1
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-oh-lahm
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-ah-dahm
Come gather round
and light the menorah
As we say, “L’had-leek ner
shel ha-nu-ka”

2
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-oh-lahm
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-ah-dahm
We celebrate freedom
won a long time ago
ba-ya-meem ha-hem
ba-z’man ha-zey

3
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-oh-lahm
Ba-ruch ha-or ba-ah-dahm
We light these candles in our
home tonight and we hope
that in the world light will
shine for all.

(The first and second blessings were written by Rabbi Peter Schweitzer, the third by Rabbi Daniel Friedman.)

“THE EIGHT CANDLES”

The first light is the light of Reason.
It is the light of reason that helps us to see the difference between right and wrong.

The second light is the light of Self-Esteem.
It is the light of self-esteem that keeps us proud.

The third light is the light of Courage.
It is the light of courage that gives us strength to stand up for what we believe in.

The fourth light is the light of Freedom.
It is the light of freedom that reminds us to take responsibility for our own lives.

The fifth light is the light of Love.
It is the light of love that enables us to care for those who suffer.

The sixth light is the light of Loyalty. It is the light of Loyalty that makes us keep our promises to those who trust us.

The seventh light is the light of Generosity. It is the light of generosity that encourages us to give even when we do not receive.

The eighth light is the light of Hope. It is the light of hope that leads us to the vision of a better world.

(Candlelighting ceremony by Marilyn Rowens, Humanistic Judaism, Winter 1979.)

The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in New York City uses these secular Chanukah blessings and menorah lighting to enhance its community's cultural celebration of Chanukah. Service provided courtesy of The City Congregation.

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