Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is an eight-day holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is celebrated with prayers, songs, and other observances such as the lighting of candles and the eating of traditional fried foods. Among the traditional Jewish practices of Hanukkah is the recitation of special prayers during the festive meals.
The three main prayers of Hanukkah include the Hanukkah Blessings, the She-Asah Nissim prayer, and the Al Hanisim prayer. The Hanukkah Blessings are recited during all eight days of Hanukkah when lighting the Hanukkah candles, while the She-Asah Nissim and Al Hanisim prayers are recited during the special festive meals.The Hanukkah Blessings
The Hanukkah Blessings are recited during the lighting of the Hanukkah candles each night of the festival. The traditional Hebrew version of the Blessing, known as the Birkat HaMitzvot, is as follows:
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר חנוכה
Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukkah lamp.”
The modern Hebrew version of the Blessing, called the She-heh-cheyanu, is as follows:
שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה
Translation: “Who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”
The She-Asah Nissim Prayer
She-Asah Nissim, which means “He Who Made Miracles,” is recited during the special festive meals during all eight nights of Hanukkah. The prayer is traditionally recited before the washing of hands for the meal, and is traditionally sung to a few special melodies:
שְׁתֵּאָשַׁע נִסִּים מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, אֲבִי צֶדֶק שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לְאָבותֵֽינוּ בִּימֵי חַנּוּכָּֽה .
Translation: “He Who Made Miracles for our forefathers in days of yore, Show forth miracles for us too, Lord our God, at this season.”
The Al Hanisim Prayer
The Al Hanisim prayer is recited during the special festive meals to commemorate the miracles of Hanukkah and is traditionally sung to many special melodies. The prayer is traditionally recited after washing hands but before eating the meal. The Al Hanisim blessing is as follows:
אַל הַנִּסִּים וְהַפְּלָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂתָ לְאַבוֹתֵֽינוּ בִּימֵי הַחֲנֻכָּה הַזֶּֽה .
Translation: “For the miracles, for the redemption, and for the mighty deeds and for the saving acts You performed for our forefathers in days of yore, at this season.”
Hanukkah prayers and blessings are an important part of the Jewish tradition and can be found in many prayer books and online. While the Hanukkah Blessings are the most commonly recited prayer each night of Hanukkah, both the She-Asah Nissim and Al Hanisim prayers are integral to the celebration and together attest to the miraculous victory of the Maccabees in reclaiming and rededicating the Holy Temple.
When participating in a Hanukkah celebration, be sure to keep these traditional Jewish prayers in mind, and draw strength and joy from their messages of faith and deliverance.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.