OU TORAH YU TORAH and NAALEH.COM Acknowledging and Acclaiming By Shira Smiles

Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein The Gemarrah recounts the origins of the Chanukah Festival. The menorah that the Maccabees lit with just enough oil for one day lasted for eight days. The following year the Sanhedrin established these eight days as a permanent festival of Hallel/praise and hoda’ah/thanksgiving. Rashi explains that “praise” refers to reciting the Hallel prayer for all eight days of Chanukah, and thanksgiving refers to inserting the Al Hanissim prayer in our Amidah and in the Birkat Hamazon after meals. However, our sages did not prohibit work on Chanukah as is prohibited on other holidays.