This file is for Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays. It contains things I have collected or had sent to me. Since I am not Jewish, I am not sure if everything is in the correct place. If anyone has suggestions for additions or changes please let me know. Also see Religion.
(There are other Jewish Proverbs in various subject files.)
(H.N. Bialik)
Father lighted candles for me;
Like a torch the Shamash shone.
In whose honor, for whose glory?
For Hanukkah alone.
Teacher bought a big top for me,
Solid lead, the finest known.
In whose honor, for whose glory?
For Hanukkah alone.
Mother made a pancake for me,
Hot and sweet and sugar-strewn.
In whose honor, for whose glory?
For Hanukkah alone.
Uncle had a present for me,
An old penny for my own.
In whose honor, for whose glory?
For Hanukkah alone.
Candles kindling,
Children singing.
Hanukkah is
Just beginning.
Dreidels spinning,
Apples simmering,
Latke sizzling,
Pennies shimmering.
Families gathering,
Voices ringing,
Hugging, kissing,
Children grinning.
Gift unwrapping,
Clapping this rhyme.
Hanukkah is
A miracle time!
(Vivian Gouled)
Lighting Hanukkah candles
and watching them burn and glow;
Listening to the story
of Hanukkah long ago;
Giving and getting presents
each day, and that means eight . . .
Hanukkah is a happy time,
fun to celebrate.
(Efraim Rosenzweig)
Twirl about, dance about,
Spin, spin, spin!
Turn, dreidel, turn--
Time to begin!
Soon it is Hanukkah--
Fast, dreidel, fast!
For you will lie still
When Hanukkah's past.
(Eva Grant)
Mother's in the kitchen frying
Potato pancakes, crisp and light,
Father hides the children's presents
To be opened every night.
Amy shines the brass menorah
Till it glitters like the sun,
David counts the tiny candles,
He will light them one by one.
Grandma bustles round the household,
Then Grandpa joins the Hanukkah fun,
He tells the Maccabean story,
A family Hanukkah has begun!
(Eva Grant)
Outside, snow is slowly, softly
Falling through the wintry night.
In the house, the brass menorah
Sparkles with the candlelight.
Children in a circle listen
To the wondrous stories told,
Of the daring Maccabeans
And the miracles of old.
In the kitchen, pancakes sizzle,
Turning brown, they'll soon be done.
Gifts are waiting to be opened,
Happy Hanukkah's begun.
Let's light the menorah
For the Festival of Lights,
One candle every evening
For eight great, joyous nights.
Latkes, games, and sharing,
Happiness and cheer.
Let's light the menorah
For Hanukkah is here.
One and two, three and four
Shining, shining brightly.
Five and six, then two more,
Each one added nightly.
Eight at last, what a blaze!
Prettiest of sights,.
Best of all the holidays,
This Festival of Lights.
My friends down the street
Are happy and gay!
Hanukkah is starting--
It's starting today!
The lovely menorah
Shining and bright,
Is waiting with candles
All ready to light.
Hanukkah, Hanukkah
How well you've begun
With gifts and with pancakes
For everyone!
(Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary)
Light one candle for the Maccabee children
Give 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.
Light one candle for the wisdom to know
When the peacemaker's time is at hand.
Chorus:
Don't let the light go out
It's lasted for so many years
Don't let the light go out
Let it shine through our love
and our tears.
Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
Light one candle for those who are suffering
The pain we learned so long ago.
Light one candle for all we believe in
Let anger not tear us apart
Light one candle to bind us together
With the peace as the song in our heart.
(repeat chorus)
What is the memory that's valued so highly
That we keep 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
This is the burden and the promise
And this is why we will not fail.
(repeat chorus)