Candlelighting Chant for Chanukah

Chanukah is a time to celebrate the lengthening of days as the winter comes to its midpoint, as well as a moment to celebrate the rededication of the Temple in the days of the Maccabees. This chant may be recietd before, during, or after candlelighting prayers are said.

Candlelighting Chant for the First Night of Chanukah:

Light born from darkness,
dawn born from night,
hope born from quiet
waiting for the light.

Spring born from winter,
spark struck from sun,
strength born from calling
for the spring to come.

Tonight the dark is waiting,
longing to be gone.
Tonight the earth is turning,
facing toward the dawn.

Rabbi Jill Hammer is the founder of Tel Shemesh, a senior associate at Ma'yan: The Jewish Women's project (www.mayan.org), and the author of Sisters at Sinai: New Tales of Biblical Women.

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