Chanuka Story

As a teacher, my objective is to explain the holiday stories in as simple form as possible, yet remain true to its meaning and relevance to the children.

When we teach our children these events, we may think to ourselves, "What would this look like through the eyes of a 4 year old?"

As such, I look forward to sharing with you how our friends in Pre-K have been introduced to the Chanukah story. It has been presented in a clear and understandable way in order to appreciate the experiences on their level.

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Over 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people lived happily together in the land of Eretz Yisroel (Israel).

Since there were no stores from which to buy fruits and vegetables the Jews plowed, planted and harvested their own. They also gathered together to celebrate the holidays and Shabbos. The children may even have enjoyed Shabbos parties. Such fun!

Yerushalayim, the capitol city of Eretz Yisroel, had a very special building called the Beis Hamikdosh built by King Shlomoh. People from around the world came to see its beauty and splendor, as it was built with materials such as gold, silver, marble, etc.

There were many jobs inside which needed to be divided between the Kohanim (Priests) and the Leviyim (Levites). The Kohanim had turns placing fresh bread on the table each day, bringing gifts from people to Hashem, roasting meats etc. 

The Leviyim sang songs, played on the trumpets, and drums etc, to create a pleasant and happy atmosphere while the Kohanim did their jobs. Whatever job a person did in the Beis Hamikdosh was important and special.

The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) would light the Menorah each day using pure olive oil that was grown and squeezed by people in Eretz Yisroel. It took 8 days to make and bring to the Beis Hamikdosh.

              Gabriel toning his muscles                    Nicole getting lipstick applied

At this time, there was a King named Antiochus who lived in the land of Greece. He decided that he didn't want the Jewish people to learn Torah and listen to Hashem. Antiochus wanted people to look good and be fit by working out, getting their muscles strong, compete in races, and do gymnastics. He also wanted Jews women to go to beauty parlors to get delicious smelling perfumes, have their hair done, nails polished, and make up applied to their faces. Antiochus didn't want to find any Jewish kids davening to Hashem, learning Alef Beis, or studying the Parsha in school.

Therefore,  he made a decree for all the Jewish people saying, "You are not allowed to learn Torah, keep Shabbos, make a Bris Mila for baby boys, or keep kosher.  If I find anybody doing any of these things, they will be taken away."

Antiochus ordered his soldiers to break and destroy things in the Beis Hamikdosh and to bring gold and silver back to Greece for him. 

It wasn't safe for Jews who wanted to learn Torah and do Mitzvos to stay home. So they packed their bags, Torahs, Siddur, and kosher food and ran to hide in the caves. Only in hiding, were the Jews able to do the right things to make Hashem happy, and feel close to Him.

Our Maccabbees (the 5 sons of Matisyahu)

In the meantime, there was a very special father named Matisyahu who had 5 sons:

Yochanan, Yonasan, Yehuda, Shimon, and Eliezer. 

As head of the Jewish nation, Matisyahu decided that he and his sons must do what is right in order to make sure the Jewish people continue doing Torah and Mitzvos. Matisyahu gathered an army of brave and strong Jews who wanted to stand up for the right things, in order to chase the Greeks away. This was not easy since the king's   decrees were harsh and people were afraid not to listen. Because his decrees were  against what Hashem wanted, they said, "Mi Komocho Bo-ailim Hashem"- whoever is with Hashem join with me." (The beginning of each words spells Maccabee.)

The Jewish army was much smaller than the Greek army, but Hashem helped them win and chased the Greeks away. The Jews were now free to do what they needed to do, to make good choices and to listen to Hashem.

Today we B"H don't have the bad influence of the Greeks around us, telling us not to learn Torah or do Mitzvos. When faced with whether to do what's right and be like a Maccabee, we must make the right choices. 
Below you will find answers from our "friends" to questions about choosing correctly:
"What would you do if it happened to you?"

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Q: Your friends are talking during davening:

Nicole: "I will not listen."

Dylan: "I will not talk."

Q: Your friend wants to play with you during rest time:

Gabriel: "I will not play with him."

Sammy: "I will not listen and say I want to sleep."

Q: Your friend tells you to color on the table:

Ethan: I will say, "Please, can you stop."

Eli: I will say, "Lets not color on the table."

Q: Your friend tells you not to clean up in the center you were playing:

Rochelle: I will say, "Please can we clean up in that center?"

Benny: "I will clean it up."

Q: Your friends are talking while we are bencthing:

Etelle: "I will close my ears, not listen, and bentch."

Leora: "If the person ate I would tell them they need to bentch."

See, we can be Maccabees too. We can make the right choices even if were told to do otherwise. :)