The approaching holiday of Chanukah will be celebrated by the nightly kindling of candles on the Menorah. This observance enjoys an extraordinary hold on the imagination and devotion of even those individuals and households with but the most tenuous connection to traditional Jewish observance.
The Chanukah menorah (properly, the “Chanukiyah”) is also customarily lit each night in the synagogue. While this communal lighting is not, strictly speaking, a requirement of Jewish Law, the practice is all but universal. The custom is conducive to joyous communal gatherings. Since the synagogue is the successor to the Holy Temple whose rededication Chanukah commemorates, the congregational lighting seems particularly appropriate. The Chanukiyah is traditionally placed to the right of the Ark… that is, toward the Southern wall, as it was in the original Temple. Furthermore, the congregational lighting serves an educational purpose, demonstrating the proper procedure for those who may not be confident about the details of the ritual. We should not underestimate the connection between “Chanukah” (meaning, dedication) and “Chinukh” (meaning, education).
As the Chanukah flames fire our imagination each night – evoking the ancient Temple in Jerusalem – may we also gratefully rededicate ourselves to the contemporary synagogue… whose leaders and membership strive to bring us such joy, learning, community, and illumination.
With our support, “Great Miracles Happen There!”
Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser is the rabbi of Temple Emanuel of North Jersey and the editor of “Masorti: The New Journal of Conservative Judaism.” The latest edition of Masorti was published online in December of 2024. A subscription is $18 per annum.
The Chanukah menorah (properly, the “Chanukiyah”) is also customarily lit each night in the synagogue. While this communal lighting is not, strictly speaking, a requirement of Jewish Law, the practice is all but universal. The custom is conducive to joyous communal gatherings. Since the synagogue is the successor to the Holy Temple whose rededication Chanukah commemorates, the congregational lighting seems particularly appropriate. The Chanukiyah is traditionally placed to the right of the Ark… that is, toward the Southern wall, as it was in the original Temple. Furthermore, the congregational lighting serves an educational purpose, demonstrating the proper procedure for those who may not be confident about the details of the ritual. We should not underestimate the connection between “Chanukah” (meaning, dedication) and “Chinukh” (meaning, education).