The Story of Chanukah
A brief retelling of the events we celebrate every year for eight days beginning the 25th of Kislev.
Remembering Light
During the time of the Second Temple, the Holy Land was ruled by the Greeks. They robbed the Jews of their property and set up idols in the Beis HaMikdash. No one could stand up against them — until Mattityahu and his sons rose up and drove them from the land. The Chanukah lights remind us of the great miracle that a small band of Jews defeated the mighty Greek armies.
Fighting for Light
The Greeks accepted the Torah as a book of wisdom, but not as something holy that connects us to Hashem. In the end, they made Torah learning illegal and outlawed Mitzvos like Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Bris Milah. The Maccabees risked their lives to keep Torah alive — and that's why they won.
The Miracle of Light
An even greater miracle than the military victory was the miracle of the oil. The Greeks had made all the oil in the Beis HaMikdash impure. The Maccabees found one small jar that had been overlooked — enough oil for only one day. They lit it anyway. Hashem made another miracle, and the oil burned for eight days.
Adding Light
Every day of Chanukah we add another candle until all eight are ablaze. This nightly increase teaches us to always be adding in Torah and Mitzvos throughout the year — because in matters of holiness, we only go up.
Adapted from The Moshiach Times, published by Tzivos Hashem.
Mitzvos & Customs of Chanukah
At the heart of the festival is the nightly Menorah lighting. The Menorah holds nine flames — one is the shamash (attendant), used to kindle the other eight. On the first night we light one flame; by the eighth night, all eight are lit. Special blessings are recited before lighting, and traditional songs sung afterward. The Menorah is placed in a doorway or window to publicize the miracle.
Other customs include: playing dreidel (a four-sided top with the letters נ-ג-ה-ש, an acronym for nes gadol hayah sham — "a great miracle happened there"), giving Chanukah gelt to children, and eating foods fried in oil such as latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts). We also add V'Al HaNissim in our daily prayers and in Birchas HaMazon throughout the holiday.
"The light of the Chanukah candles is holy — our Mitzvah is to look at the candles and reflect on the story they tell."
This Year's Events
Details for Chanukah 5787 will be posted here as they're confirmed. Check back closer to the holiday or contact us to be added to our mailing list.
Car Menorah Parade
An annual Flatbush tradition — dozens of cars decorated with Menorahs cruise through the neighborhood making stops along the way.
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Last year's parade launched from Chabad of Central Brooklyn (716 Ditmas Ave) and made stops throughout Flatbush, ending with a grand Menorah lighting at Fraser Square. We're planning an even bigger one this year.
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Children's Carnival
A fun-filled Chanukah party for kids — games, prizes, activities, and plenty of Chanukah spirit.
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Public Menorah Lightings
We hold public Menorah lightings throughout Flatbush each Chanukah — bringing light to the neighborhood one night at a time.
Questions & Updates
Want to be notified when event details are confirmed, or have a question about Chanukah? Send us a message.