and praise Hashem for the miracles He performed for the Maccabbees and throughout the generations, the Jewish women would feel a tremendous spiritual uplifting when lighting (at least) 2 candles every Friday afternoon, before sunset. And it would be a perfect opportunity to pray to G-d, beseeching the well-being of their families and whatever one wishes.

It was wonderful to read goor news, for a change. This article portrayed the absolute interest that the Children of Israel have for their history and tradition. The symbol, the Menorah, reminds all of us the glorious past of this people. As the Hasmoneans fought for the existence of Erets Yisroel with much zealousness and dedication so to must we fight for our land and our existence as a people returned to its homeland. CHAG SAMEACH to everyone.

I think 100% of religious kindle lights, if not they are not religious

Esther, according to halakha, men and women are both obligated to light Chanukkah candles. Ashkenazi custom is for every member of the family to light the channukiah. Before you start your outreach, learn some halakha. But, the above news story is proof that artificial claims about religious vs. secular are false and just serve to divide the global Jewish people. We are one!

Unless the other 9% are of a different religion and would not be required to light candles.

also light the candles each night of Hannukah since my husband is non-religious. He does not forbid religion. He just does not like to participate. So there are times when a woman can light the Hannukah candles: when they would not be lit, otherwise.

To make a difference to our environment this Hannukah and join Jews from all over the world - join our Hannukah Enviro-Count-Up at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6378524106&ref=share Hannukah Sameach!

I'm an atheist, but I often light candles during Hanukkah. For some of us it's not about religion per se, but rather about our history, our traditions, and also the oppression the Jews have suffered simply for being Jewish.

that only 1 person in the household is "obligated" to light the Chanukah menora and this honor is usually given to the father/husband. If the woman is alone, she lights it. But if she has a son of age, he could light it for her. And this is the Ashkenazi custom.

atheist. How can you look at a tree and be an atheist, thinking there is no creator? How many years would it take for a watch on a table to create another one? A watch is simple compared to a tree or an eye or a human body. There is a God and the Jews have a covenant with Jehovah, just as the Gentiles have a covenant with Jesus for eternal life. The Jews look for their Messiah or deliverer to come. The Gentiles are thankful he has come already and will come again. Do you want to go to a place of torment and flames and intense thirst and sorrow and memories and eternal separation from the Creator who made you? I do not want you to go there, seeing your concern for Israel in your tb's. Seek the Lord while you can find him by reading about him in the Bible and getting to know him.

Chanukah is a sin because we don't have to remember miracles because G.od let miracles happen at times the jewish people disdain his words, no reason at all to celebrate but rather to cry … 1 Samuel Chapter 3 "1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the L.ORD before Eli. And the word of the L.ORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision"

"10% said the justice and democracy systems were symbols of Hellinism"- THE SAME # THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE BUILDING OF THE GOLDEN CALF ! THE QUANTITY IS NOT GREAT BUT,THE COLLECTIVE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE , A MINYON IS ALSO TEN .................................. MAY WE BE LIKEWISE COLLECTIVELY THE BENIFICIARIES OF THE WISDOM OF THOSE THAT UNDERSTAND THE "IDOLS" OF DEMOCRACY & JUSTICE , MINORITY OR NOT !

First, the Miracle of Chanukah had nothing to do with the prophets, Samuel and Eli. The Chanukah Miracle happened over 700 years hundred years after the death of the prophet Samuel. Second, the Rabbis have proclaimed the Miracle of Chanukah as a yearly remembrance. So who are you to give your opinion about the Jewish religion if you're not religious and don't know much about the Jewish religion. If you have a problem about celebrating Chanukah, take it up with an orthodox Rabbi.

The Hanukah Enviro-Count-Up is pure shtuyot (nonsense), the kind that gives environmentalists a bad name. Hanukah candles are a mere cipher in the world's carbon footprint. If Israel's enviros want to do something useful, they should address the disgrace that is the Lag B'Omer fires. They release more carbon and pollution in one night than all the hanukiyot since the nation's founding. These nutjobs are all too quick to sacrifice even simple Jewish traditions in their quest for a misunderstood tikkun olam. Instead, why not suggest people leave their cars un-driven one day a week - say, from Friday eve until Saturday eve.

On the first night of Chanukah all eight candle holders stand before you. But you light only one. Tomorrow night you shall light two. You know that eventually you will light all eight. From which we learn two things: (1) Move step by step in life. Take things on at a pace you can handle. (2) Always grow. Always keep moving. If you did one good thing yesterday, do two today. Your ultimate achievement is always one step ahead.

While I can respect your beliefs, the reason I'm an atheist is not about trees. It's about the Holocaust and all the other horrific events that have happened throughout history seemingly unfettered by an all-knowing, all-powerful God. And while I really do appreciate your concern that I might have reserved myself a place in hell, the reality is that people who don't believe in God usually don't believe in heaven or hell either.

How many have done..? =)

May the mitzva of lighting the Chanukah Menorah lead to many more mitzvot.

Don't you see how israeli society, tries to ban women from all the important stuff????? Us women should unite to change things. STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY!

My husband and I take turns lighting and saying the blessings together. One day him - one day me. I don't understand what you are talking about!

NYC Girl, you should join us in our very traditional observance of Chanukkah ----we take the subway up to Astoria and kill Greeks. It's just like the really old days and the fare is still $2!

It is the custom in most Jewish homes for the man in the house - the husband/father – to lead the services; make Kiddush, Havdalah, read the Megilah, blow Shofar, light Chanukah candles, etc. The Shabbat candles is lit by the wife/mother. If for some reason the wife cannot light the candles, the husband does it.

A Chanukiah is an Israeli made-up word from the new modern Hebrew era. Throughout the generations it was called a Menorah.

Such patronising, childish nonsense...... As for the "watch" - good grief, Rivkah, try living in the real world, you might find it illuminating.

I suggest you read what it says before calling it Shtuyot. As far as I can see the groups members are lighting up on Hannukka in the traditional Jewish tradition. They have posted some vey interesting Jewish Environmental teachings. You are right something needs to be done to make Lag Baomer less of a national disgrace.

I noticed that Joseph P., Jerusalem, #9 replied to your retort. No need for me to add anything to that. As for your second comment, yes, the Jewish people are indeed one nation. The difference is only between those who follow the Torah and those who do not.

As a devoutly agnostic person who's hannukah candles are the only religious action, I can clearly state it's because I'm a male and, ever since we learned how to rub two sticks together, control of fire has always been fun. I love looking at all those little flames, regardless of why I'm lighting them.