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Ba-ruch a-ta, a-do-nai e-lo-hei-nu, me-lech/ruach ha-o-lam, a-sher ki-di-sha-nu be-mits-vo-tav, ve-tsi-va-nu le-had-lik neir shel chanukah. Amen.
Blessed art Thou, our G-d, Ruler/Spirit of the universe, Who has
sanctified us by your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah. Amen.
Ba-ruch a-ta, a-do-nai e-lo-hei-nu, me-lech/ruach ha-o-lam, she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem ba-z’man ha-zeh. Amen.
Blessed art Thou, our G-d, Ruler/Spirit of the universe, Who has wrought miracles for our forebearers, in those days at this season. Amen.
(On the first night)
Ba-ruch a-ta, a-do-nai e-lo-hei-nu, me-lech/ruach ha-o-lam, she-he-chei-a-nu, v’ki-y’ma-nu, v’hi-gi-a-nu, la-z’man ha-zeh. Amen.
Blessed art Thou, our G-d, Ruler/Spirit of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. Amen.
Ma-oz Tzur y’shu-a-ti, l’cha na-eh l’sha-be-ach.
Ti-kon bet t’fi-la-ti, v’sham to-da n’za-be-ach.
L’et ta-chin mat-be-ach, mi-tzar ha-m’na-be-ach.
Az egmor b’shir miz-mor, chanukat ha-miz-be-ach.
Rock of ages, let our song praise thy saving power;
Thou amidst the raging foe, wast our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us, but thine arm availed us,
and thy word broke their sword when our own strength failed us.
Kindling new the holy lamps, priests approved in suffering, purified the
Nation’s shrines, brought to G-d their offering. And, in courts
surrounding, hear, in joy abounding,
happy throngs singing songs, with a mighty sounding.
Children of the Maccabees, whether free or fettered,
wake the echoes of the songs, where ye may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering, that the time is nearing,
which will see all people free, tyrants disappearing.
In the window, where you can send your glow
from my Menorah, on newly fallen snow,
I will set you, (1 — 8) little candles,
on this the (1 — 8) night of Chanukah.
Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah.
Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the Hora.
Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat,
Sevivon to play with, levivot to eat.
And while we are playing, the candles are burning low.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago.
Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah, festival of joy.
A very special holiday for every girl and boy.
Spin the whirling dreidels all week long.
Eat the sizzling latkes, sing a happy song.
Now light them tonight then, the flickering candles in a row.
Retell the wondrous story of G-d in all Her glory,
and dance by the candles’ cheery glow.
Retell the wondrous story of G-d in all His glory,
and dance by the candles’ cheery glow.
I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay,
and when it’s dry and ready, oh dreidel I shall play.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay,
and when it’s dry and ready, oh dreidel I shall play.
It has a lovely body, with legs so short and thin,
and when it gets all tired, it drops and then I win.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with legs so short and thin,
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it drops and then I win.
My dreidel’s always playful; it loves to laugh and spin;
a happy game of dreidel, come play, now let’s begin.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it loves to laugh and spin,
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, come play, now let’s begin.
One person spins the dreidel
And when the spinning’s through
The dreidel drops with one side up
And tells you what to do.
Nun means you get nothing
Gimmel means you win
Hay means you get half the pot
And Shin you put one in.
Mi yi-ma-lel g’vu-rot yis-ra-el, otan mi yimneh? Hen be-chol dor ya-kum ha-gi-bor go-el ha-am.
Shma! Ba-ya-mim ha-hem, baz-man ha-zeh,
mac-ca-bee mo-shi-a uf-o-deh —
Uv-ya-mei-nu kol am yis-ra-el
yit-ach-ed, ya-kum ve-yi-ga-el
Who can retell the things that befell us? Who can count them? In every age a hero or sage came to our aid.
Hark! In days of old in Israel’s ancient land,
Brave Maccabeus led the fearless band.
And now all Israel must as one arise;
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice.
Al ha-nis-sim ve-al ha-pur-kan
ve-al ha-g’vu-rot ve-al ha-t’shu-ot
ve-al ha-mil-cha-mot she-as-it-a l’av-o-tei-nu
ba-ya-mim ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Se-vi-von, sov, sov, sov, cha-nu-kah hu chag tov.
Cha-nu-kah hu chag tov, se-vi-von, sov, sov, sov.
Chag sim-cha hu la-am, nes ga-dol ha-ya sham.
Nes ga-dol ha-ya sham, chag sim-cha hu la-am.
Chanukah holiday! With the dreidels we shall play.
When they spin and turn some more, watch them drop to the floor!
1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; Take a drum and march along with me! 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3; Everyone can be a Maccabee!
Brave and strong, we march along.
We march and march until the day is done.
Chanukah’s coming; Chanukah’s here.
Happy Chanukah to everyone!
Ke-mach, ke-mach min ha-sek. She-men, she-men min ha-kad.
Cha-nu-kah ha-yom! Chag na-im nech-mad!
Chorus: La la la lala lala. La la la lala lala.
Pour the flour from the bin. Pour the oil from the tin.
Chanukah is here. Festival so dear!
(Chorus)
Mix the flour, snowy white — with the oil golden bright.
That is how one makes Chanukah pancakes!
(Chorus)
Now and when the batter’s done — add some sugar. Oh, what fun! Then you’ll take a seat and eat this latke treat!
(Chorus)
Hanukah Linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi,
Hanukah Linda sta aki,
Ocho kandelas para mi.
Chorus: Una kandelika
Dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas
Kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas
seysh kandelikas
siete kandelikas
ocho kandelas para mi.
Muchas fiestas vo fazer, con alegrias i plazer.
Muchas fiestas vo fazer, con alegrias i plazer.
Chorus:
Los pastelikas vo kumer, con almendrikas i la miel.
Los pastelikas vo kumer, con almendrikas i la miel.
Chorus:
(Beautiful Chanukah is here, eight candles for me.
One candle, two candles, three candles, four candles, five candles, six
candles, seven candles, eight candles for me.
Many parties will be held, with joy and with pleasure.
One candle…
I will cook pastelikas (a Sephardic delicacy) with almonds and honey. One candle…)
Chanukah, Chanukah
Chag yafeh kol kach
Or chaviv misaviv
Gil l’yeled rach.
Chanukah, Chanukah
Sevivon, sov, sov
Sov, sov, sov, sov, sov, sov
Chag na’im va tov.
Chanukah Chanukah
Joyous holiday
Candles bright, cheerful light
Old and young are gay.
Chanukah, Chanukah
Sevivon sov sov
Spin and turn, spin and turn
While the candles burn.
I am so mixed up that I cannot tell you
I’m sitting in this blender turning brown
I’ve made friends with the onions and the flour
And the cook is scouting oil in town.
I sit here wondering what will ‘come of me
I can’t be eaten looking as I do
I need someone to take me out and cook me
Or I’ll really end up in a royal stew.
Chorus: I am a latke, I’m a latke
And I’m waiting for Chanukah to come
(repeat).
Every holiday has foods so special
I’d like to have that same attention too
I do not want to spend life in this blender
Wondering what I’m supposed to do.
Matza and charoset are for Pesach
Chopped liver and challah for Shabbat
Blintzes on Shavuot are delicious
And gefilte fish no holiday’s without.
Chorus:
It’s important that I have an understanding
Of what it is that I’m supposed to do
You see there are many who are homeless
With no homes, no clothes and very little food.
It’s important that we all remember
That while we have most of the things we need
We must remember those who have so little
We must help them, we must be the ones to feed.
Chorus:
Avee hid-lik nerot lee
V’shamash lo avuka
Yod’im atem lichvod mah (3x) Lichvod ha Hanukah.
Moree hevee kirkar lee
Ben oferet y’tzuka
Yod’im atem lichvod mah (3x) Lichvod ha Hanukah.
Eemee natna liveeva lee
L’vee va hama m’tuka
Yod’im atem lichvod mah (3x) Lichvod ha Hanukah.
Dodee natan t’shura lee
P’ruta ahat sh’huka
Yod’im atem lichvod mah (3x) Lichvod ha Hanukah.
Father (Mother) lit the candles high
With the shamash’s fiery light
Do you know the reason why
It’s Chanukah tonight.
Teacher gave me a dredyl-my
To spin in dancing flight
Do you know the reason why
It’s Chanukah tonight.
Mother (Father) made the latkes fry
And gave me one to bite
Do you know the reason why
It’s Chanukah tonight.
Uncle (Aunt, Grandpa) brought a gift I spy
A shiny coin so bright
Do you know the reason why
It’s Chanukah tonight.
Spoken: Chanukah is a celebration of peace and freedom.
It was first celebrated on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev.
Sung: Long ago in a place far off
The story as I hear tell
A Syrian king named Antiochus ruled over Israel.
He said, “I am the law
I make all the rules
How you eat, how you work and play,
I shall tear down the temple of the Jews
They shall worship the way I say (2x).
But one brave man named Mattityahu
Said, “This shall never be
I will not bow down, if you’re for the Lord
Join my sons and follow me,” And they called them the Maccabbees.
Chorus: Oh we are the mighty Maccabbees
Freedom is our battle cry
All courage and strength, all victories
Are gifts from our G-d on high,
For we are the army of the Lord
And we battle in G-d’s name
And when our temple is restored
We’ll rekindle the holy flame. (2x)
Spoken: Mattityahu’s son Judah Maccabbee led the small army of Jews to victory.
And they returned to Jerusalem to rededicate their temple.
They restored and built up the altar stones
And cleaned up their holy place
Although there was oil for just one night
Still the flame burned eight long days
And that miracle which happened there
Is the thing which we celebrate
And this festival of lights we share
Is our Chanukah holiday.
Chorus:
Hanerot hanerot
Hanerot halalu.
(2x) Anu madlikin (2x) Hanerot halalu
Anu madlikin.
These candles we do light.
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.
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.
Chorus:
Chorus: Not by might, and not by power
But by spirit alone
Shall we all live in peace.
The children sing
The children dream
And their tears may fall
But we’ll hear them call
And another song will rise (3x).
Chorus:
Shine little candles, burning bright
Chanukah is here.
Eight little candles in a row
With a flame so clear.
Dance little candles, to and fro
Standing tall and bright
Dance little candles in a row
Dance for all eight nights.
Melt little candles one by one
You have been such fun
Eight little candles go to sleep
When Chanukah is done.
Ner li, ner li
Ner li dakeek.
BaChanukah neri adlik.
BaChanukah neri yair
BaChanukah shirim ashir.(2x)
I have a candle, a candle so light
On Chanukah my candle burns bright.
On Chanukah its light burns long
On Chanukah I sing this song. (2x)
Y’mei ha-Chanukah, Chanukat mikdasheynu
B’gil u’v’simcha m’malim et libeynu
Laila v’yom s’vivoneynu yisov
Sufganiot nochal bam larov
Heiru hadliku nerot Chanukah rabim
Al hanism v’al hanifla-ot asher chol’lu haMakabim (2x).
The days of Chanukah, the dedication of our temple
Fill our hearts with joy and happiness
Night and day our dreidels will spin
On them (the days and nights of Chanukah) we’ll eat lots of jelly doughnuts
Shine, light the many Chanukah candles
In honor of the miracles and wonders which the Maccabees did.
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