Afshine Emrani
My 9 year-old son just sat me down and schooled me on Hanukkah. You see, the king wanted Jews to become assimilated, make them Greeks by eating pork, dressing Greek, etc. at cost of being killed or jailed for life. The Jews would hide to study Torah. That’s why we should respect and celebrate Christians/ Christmas/ Christmas trees but keep our homes Jewish by lighting candles, saying the prayers, and not bringing a bush that resembles the tree. To assimilate is to forget the miracle of Hanukkah. The challenge of Judaism is keeping the balance, living among the nations, respecting the land and the law of the land, while keeping our homes Jewish. A great lesson from my boy. Light and love.
Who cares if a candle lasted a few more days that it should have? The essential feature of the practice of lighting candles is 1- to publicize the miracle, 2- to remind the world that light conquers darkness, 3- to share our light with others who may be hopeless. This is why Jews place the candles on a window sill. We are blessed to live in a county where doing so is not a life-threatening act of defiance. History has not always been so kind to the Jew. Bless this day. Bless this country. #HappyHanukkah. – Afshine Emrani
There are many beautiful meanings during Chanukah. I would like to share ones that I have come across that are beautiful and universal. The video above is some deep, spiritual background to the meaning of Menorah, Chanukah, Judaism, and how we are not alone in this world.
Chag Sameach,
Happy Chanukah,
Coach Yulia
Sara Jampolsky Chazan
Just some thoughts as we enter the Chanukah season. It is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to Chanukah. Some people are not surrounded by large wonderful families. Some of us are having problems during Chanukah and may be overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. For many it is their first Chanukah without a particular loved one and many others lost loved ones at this time. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are overcome with loneliness. We all need caring, loving thoughts right now. Let us support all those who are having family troubles, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares.
May you all have a light filled Hanukkah, abundant in revealed miracles. 
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The Kedushas Levi says that each night of Chanuka is mesugal, an auspicious time for different things to daven for:
*1st night* -not to be lonely or depressed
*2nd night*- Shidduchim, Shalom Bayis, to find your marriage partner and marital peace
*3rd night*- Good children, Happy children and healthy
(Chasam Sofer ztk’l says when you cry in front of the candles you can be sure your tefilos are answered)
*4th night*- 4 Imahos
To be a healthy and wholesome woman/mother in the 4 walls of your home, of true essence
*5th night* – Chamisha Chumshei Torah, The Five books of Torah
Daven that your husband should be a talmid chacham and your children. By the 5th night more of the menorah is lit up than not. Pray for more light in your life, for clarity.
*6th night* – Simcha
You can have everything and still be sad, therefore pray for joy and happiness
*7th night* – Happy and Peaceful Shabbos – zmiros ,Divrei Torah by your Seuda. Shabbos is the source of all bracha.
*8th nignt*- mesugal, auspicious time to pray for barren women
8 is above nature, powerful day to pray.
Kedushas Levi says if you are planning to start something new if you start it on Chanuka it will be blessed, B’H.