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Some Laws of Hanukkah

 Each household is obliged to have one lamp (Hanukkiah).

The extremely zealous will have one per member of the household.

Beit Hillel teaches us that we start with one light and proceed to add lights each night until the eighth night when all are burning.

Only the shammash, the candle used to light the rest, can kindle the lights.  None other is allowed (if one light is extinguished use the shammash to relight it, not any other candle). 

Three berachot are said the first night; two are recited on all other nights (Page 307 in Sim Shalom).

On Shabbat, Friday, light the Hanukkah before Shabbat candles.

Place the Hanukkiah in a conspicuous place, like a window, to proclaim the miracles of God.

The Hanukkah can be used for no other purpose than proclaiming the miracle.  We may not use its light to read, warm or for any other purpose.

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“Between 1305 and the early 1800’s. the House of Taxis ran a form of pony express service all over Europe….   Its couriers clad in blue and silver uniforms, crisscrossed the continent carrying messages between princes and generals, merchants and money lenders.” –Alvin Toffler, The Third Wave We may think we are the first generation consumed by rapid communication but we are not.   Throughout our history it has been a priority. Of course, now in the 21 st century we must ask: are we better or worse for it?