Chazak

We end Genesis
The secular year begins
Let us gather strength

Va-y’chi

Now Jacob blesses
Ephraim and Manasseh
But his hands are crossed

Again, the second
Instead of the first born son
Is the favored one

Vayigash

Judah pleads his case
Tells Joseph of Jacob’s pain
Brothers reunite

Chanukah – Eighth Night

A bonus this year
Chanukah has two Shabbats
It’s G-d’s gift to us

Last night’s Saturday Night Live  Christmas Holiday special included the first-ever performance of Adam Sander’s   Chanukah song.   I wasn’t going to post it as one of my Chanukah music choices because it’s so well known.  But there’s something about seeing the original version of a song that has become a classic.  Enjoy …

Mikeitz

Brothers in Egypt
They don’t recognize Joseph
But he knows it’s them

Joe frames Benjamin
Puts the goblet in his sack
To test his brothers

Chanukah – Seventh Night

The dreidel tells us
A miracle happened there
Nun, Gimmel, Hey, Shin

But in Israel
The miracle happened “here”
Nun, Gimmel, Hey, Peh

Here is a very cool version of the Dreidel Song – performed by Joshua Nelson from the album Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah: Live in Concert

Chanukah – Sixth Night

Tasty choc’late gelt
But you’d better eat it fast
‘fore it melts away

It’s the LeeVees again, warning us not to wait too long, because Gelt Melts – from Hanukkah Rocks

Chanukah – Fifth Night

How do you spell it?
In Hebrew the answer’s clear
It’s Chet-Nun-Kaf-Hey

But some would say no
You need to include a “vav”
Chet-Nun-VAV-Kaf-Hey

Transliterations?
It would be a miracle
If we could agree

Does is have two “k”s?
A “c” at the beginning?
How do you spell it?

The LeeVees sing about it in their song “How Do You Spell Channukkahh?” from Hanukkah Rocks

Chanukah – Fourth Night

Kislev dilemma
Applesauce or sour cream
What’s on your latkes?

Tonight, the LeeVees help you decide with “Applesauce vs. Sour Cream”  from Hanukkah Rocks

Chanukah – Third Night

Tres kandelikas
Is what we will light tonight
Sing in Ladino

Here’s The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band …