Hanukkah Menorah Blessings
Blessings for Lighting the Menorah
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ
בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam
asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam
she’asah nisim la’avoteinu
bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe,
who makes us holy through commandments
and commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe,
who performed miracles for our ancestors
in those days and in this season.
Shehecheyanu (First Night Only)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ
וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam
shehecheyanu vekiyemanu
vehigianu lazman hazeh
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe,
who has kept us alive, sustained us,
and brought us to this moment.
Ma’oz Tzur
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּחַ
תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּחַ
לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּחַ
אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ
Ma'oz tzur y’shuati, lecha na’eh leshabe-ach.
Tikon beit t’filati, v’sham todah nezabe-ach.
L’eit tachin matbe-ach, mitzar ham’nabe-ach.
Az egmor b’shir mizmor chanukat hamizbe-ach.
Rock of Ages, let our song praise your saving power.
You amidst the raging foes were our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us, but your help availed us.
And your word broke their sword when our own strength failed us.
God, to You our praises ring,
Rock of our salvation.
Hear the prayer we faithf’lly sing
of love and liberation.
With Your truth to guide us,
nothing can divide us.
In Your light, on this night,
of joyful celebration.
Mi Y’Maleil
אוֹתָם נָא יִבְנֶה
הֵן בְּכָל דּוֹר יָקוּם הַגִּבּוֹר
גּוֹאֵל הָעָם
Mi yimalel gevurot Yisrael
otam na yivneh
hen b’chol dor yakum ha-gibor
go’el ha-am
מַכַּבִּים מוֹשִׁיעַ וּפוֹדֶה
וּבִימֵינוּ כׇּל עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל
יִתְאַחֵד יָקוּם וְיִגָּאֵל
Sh’ma! Bayamim ha-hem baz’man hazeh
Maccabees moshia u’fodeh
U’v’yameinu kol am Yisrael
yit’aḥeid yakum v’yiga’el
Who can retell the things that befell us, who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid. (Repeat)
Ah! At this time of year in days of yore,
Maccabees the Temple did restore.
And today our people as we dreamed,
will arise, unite, and be redeemed!
Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah — English
Hanukkah oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah
Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora
Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat
Svivon to play with
And latkes to eat
And while we are playing
Candles are burning low
One for each night
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
Chanukah Oy Chanukah (Yiddish)
Chanukah oy Chanukah, a yontif a sheyner
A lustiker, a freylekher, nisht do nokh a azoyner
Ale nakht mit dreidlich shpiln mir
Frishe heise latkes esn on a shir
Geshvinder, tsindt kinder
Di Chanukah likhtlech on
Zingt "Al Hanisim" un danken far di nisim
Un kumt gikher tantsen in kohn
Zingt "Al Hanisim" un danken far di nisim
Un kumt gikher tantsen in kohn
Al Hanisim
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן
וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת
וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ
בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Al hanisim ve’al hapurkan
ve’al hagevurot ve’al hateshuot
ve’al hamilchamot
she’asita la’avoteinu
bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
For the miracles, for the deliverance,
for the mighty deeds and the victories,
and for the battles
which You performed for our ancestors
in those days and at this season.
Listen: Al Hanisim — Zamir Chorale of Boston
Ocho Kandelikas (Ladino)
Verse 1
Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi
Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi, oh
Chorus
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Verse 2
Muchas fiestas vo fazer
Kon alegria i plazer
Muchas fiestas vo fazer
Kon alegria i plazer
Chorus
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Verse 3
Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel
Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel
Chorus
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Verse 4
Ocho kandelikas para mi
Ocho kandelikas para ti
Ocho kandelikas para todos
Ke tengamos alegria
Final Chorus
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Happy, Joyous Hanukkah
Verse 1
How many nights for Hanukkah?
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Nights and days, days and nights,
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 2
How many candles do I light?
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the candles you should light
For a happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 3
One for Moses on the Mount
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Two for the mother and father love
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 4
Three for the books that Ezra taught
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Four’s for the Hebrew children
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 5
Five for the brothers Maccabee
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Six for the tricks the king did play
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 6
Seven for the sons of Hannah that died
Not so happy Hanukkah
Eight for the new-built altar place
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Verse 7
Nine is the light of God that shines
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Around this whole wide world tonight
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Final Chorus
Eight are the nights of Hanukkah
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight are the days, and eight are the nights
Happy joyous Hanukkah
Eight Days a Year
Sung to “Eight Days a Week”
Oo I need your latkes, guess you know it's true
But all I got were chachkes, so that's what I'll give you
Latkes frying — presents buying
It's what we do each winter, eight days a year
We're lighting the menorah, each and every Jew
We're studying the Torah, it's what we have to do
Candles burning — we're all learning
It's what we do each winter, eight days a year
Eight days a year — we clean out our menorahs
Eight days a year — we sing about the Maccabee
It's not about the presents, it's not about the food
There's something in those candles that puts me in the mood
Dreidels spinning — I'll be winning
It's what we do each winter, eight days a year
Eight days a year… eight days a year
Not By Might
Debbie Friedman (based on Zechariah 4:6)
Not by might and not by power,
By spirit alone, shall we all live in peace. (Repeat)
The children sing.
The children dream.
And their tears may fall,
But we'll hear them call
And another song will rise (3)
Not by might and not by power,
By spirit alone, shall we all live in peace. (Repeat)
Ending:
Not by might, not by power
Shalom!
Light One Candle
By Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
[Verse 1]
Light one candle for the Maccabee children
[Chorus]
Don't let the light go out [Verse 2]
Light one candle for the strength that we need [Final Chorus]
Don't let the light go out (Don't let the light go out)
With thanks that their light didn't die
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice
Justice and freedom demand
But light one candle for the wisdom to know
When the peacemaker's time is at hand
It's lasted for so many years
Don't let the light go out
Let it shine through our love and our tears
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago
Light one candle for all we believe in
Let anger not tear us apart
And light one candle to bind us together
With peace as the song in our heart
That we keep it alive in that flame?
What's the commitment to those who have died
When we cry out they've not died in vain?
We have come this far, always believing
That justice will somehow prevail
Oh, this is the burden, this is the promise
This why we will not fail!
It's lasted for so many years (Don't let the light go out)
Don't let the light go out
Let it shine through our love and our tears (Let it shine)
Don't let the light go out
It's lasted for so many years (Lasted for so many years)
Don't let the light go out
Let it shine through our love and our tears
The Latke Song
By Debbie Friedman
I am so mixed up that I cannot tell you;
I’m sitting in this blender turning brown!
I’ve made friends with the onions and the flour
While the cook is scouting oil in town.
I sit here wondering what will come of me,
I can’t be eaten looking as I do!
I need someone to take me out and cook me
Or I’ll really end up in a royal stew!
I am a latke!
I'm a latke!
And I am waiting
for Chanukah to come!
Each holiday has food so special;
I’d like to have the same attention too!
I do not want to spend life in this blender
Won-der-ing what I’m supposed to do.
Matzah and charoset are for Pesach,
Chopped liver and challah for Shabbat;
Blintzes on Shavuot are delicious,
And gefilte fish no holiday’s without!
It’s so important that we all remember
That while we have most of the things we need;
We must remember those who have so little,
We must help them, we must recognize their need!
I am a latke!
I'm a latke!
And I am waiting
for Chanukah to come!
I am a latke!
I'm a latke!
And I am waiting
for Chanukah to come!
Sevivon
סְבִיבוֹן סוֹב סוֹב סוֹב
חֲנוּכָּה הוּא חַג טוֹב
חֲנוּכָּה הוּא חַג טוֹב
סְבִיבוֹן סוֹב סוֹב סוֹב
חַג שִׂמְחָה הוּא לָעָם
נֵס גָּדוֹל הָיָה שָׁם
נֵס גָּדוֹל הָיָה שָׁם
חַג שִׂמְחָה הוּא לָעָם
Sevivon sov sov sov
Chanukah hu chag tov
Chanukah hu chag tov
Sevivon sov sov sov
Chag simcha hu la’am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la’am
S’vivon, turn turn turn,
Cha-nu-ki-ah candles burn.
Dancing brightly till they're done,
Sending light to everyone.
Tell the story everywhere,
A great miracle happened there.
Sing the blessings every night,
Turn the darkness into light.
I Have a Little Dreidel
I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready, oh dreidel, I shall play
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready, oh dreidel, I shall play
I had a little dreidel, I made it out of sand
And when I tried to spin it, it crumbled in my hand
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of sand
And when I tried to spin it, it crumbled in my hand
I had a little dreidel, with solar powered spin
It lit up all the candles, and that’s the way to win!
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with solar powered spin
It lit up all the candles, and that’s the way to win!
I had a little dreidel, I made it out of air
And when I tried to spin it, it simply wasn’t there
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of air
And when I tried to spin it, it simply wasn’t there
I had a little dreidel, I made it out of mud
And when I tried to spin it, it stained my mother's rug
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of mud
And when I tried to spin it, it stained my mother's rug
I had a little dreidel, I made it out of stones
I dropped it on my foot, it nearly broke my bones
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of stones
I dropped it on my foot, it nearly broke my bones
I had a little dreidel, I made it out of tin
And though I tried and tried some more, it simply wouldn't spin
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of tin
And though I tried and tried some more, it simply wouldn't spin
Don’t Have a Dreidel? Spin Ours!