Chanukah is Coming Soon!

Save the date: December 3rd: TY Chanukah Party!

Homework: 

Thank you to all the families who are putting in the effort of doing the homework.  It is only beneficial to your kids to practice midweek. 

At this point, I assume you would have let me know if you cannot access the homework.  If this is the case, I will send home something else, but I won't know if you don't tell me.

This week, please do lesson 7 (the letter nun).  I look forward to hearing the great reading that's happening.

What a ruach-filled week we had at Torat Yisrael.  Along with the tradition of telling the Chanukah story, we have been learning about other Chanukah traditions.   We learned that latkes are eaten to commemorate the oil that lasted for 8 nights.  We talked about the eight nights of Chanukah, and how we light one candle each night to remember the miracle of the light lasting eight nights, instead of just one.  We also began learning songs like "sevivon, sov sov sov" and "Chanukah Oh Chanukah", and the first two Chanukah blessings.  Below is some information about the blessings taken from Chabad.  Also, please scroll down to see our class singing the melody for the blessings.

Before kindling the Chanukah lights on the first night of Chanukah, Wednesday November 27, 2013, (or if you're kindling the Chanukah lights for the first time this year) recite all three blessings. On every subsequent nightonly the first two are recited.

Recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Chanukah):

1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Cha-nu-kah.

2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh.

3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.

Translation:

1. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

2. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

3. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.