[1] The story of this Jewish uprising against foreign oppression and the liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem is told in the apocryphal Book of Maccabees. "And there upon your children came into the shrine of your house... and did light lamps in your holy courts, and appointed these eight days to be kept with praise and thanksgiving...and we thank your great name" (I Maccabees 4:49). [Back]
	[2] A debate takes place in the Mishnah in which the House of Hillel promotes lighting eight lights the first night, and reducing one light each night, while the House of Shammai promotes the custom of light one light the first night, and adding a light each night. The latter custom was adopted, according to the principle, "One adds to holiness, and does not diminish it." [Back]
	[3] In modern Hebrew the eight-branched menorah is known as a hanukkiah, so as to differentiate it from the 6-branched candelabrum in the Temple, which was known as a menorah. A ninth socket in the hanukkiah holds a server (shamash), which is used to light the other candles or oil wicks. The blessings said when lighting the candles: Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha'olam, asher kid-shanu be'mizvotav ve'zivanu le-hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. (Praised are You, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your mitzvot and has commanded us to kindle light for Hannkah.) Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avotenu bayamin ha-hem bazman ha-zeh. (Praised are You, Sovereign of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, at this time.) Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha'olam, she'hecheyanu v'kiymanu v'higiyanu lazman ha-zeh. (Praised are You, Sovereign of the Universe, for granting us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day.) [Back]
	[4] In Israel, the last letter is a peh instead of a shin, so that the acronym stands for Nes gadol naya poh (A great miracle happened here). If the top falls on nun, the player takes nothing from the pot (of nuts, raisins, or coins); if it falls on the gimel, s/he takes the whole pot; if it falls on hay the player takes half; and if it falls on the shin (or peh in Israel) s/he must add to the pot. [Back]
	[5] The mezuzah is affixed to the right side of the doorpost of Jewish homes in accordance with the Biblical injunction: "Inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20). The mezuzah is written on a rectangular piece of parchment by a trained scribe. On one side are the verses of Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; on the reverse side is written the divine name Shaddai (Almighty). The parchment is rolled up and inserted in a case, with the letters Shaddai exposed at an opening. Mezuzah cases vary in size, material and style. [Back]