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Chanukah Hallel II: Hallel & Hoda’ah



There are two levels to our Service on Chanukah: Hoda’a – Acknowledgement and Thanks, and Hallel.  The Hoda’a is an internal recognition of how we benefit from God’s abundance, mercy and guidance. Hallel should be the expression of the Hoda’a.

The Chanukah Hallel demands that it be an expression of our internal understanding of how we benefit from God.  It is important to make an internal list of Hoda’a:

Physical Blessings:
Special Gifts:
Spiritual Blessings:
Experiencing God’s Guiding Hand:

II.A
The Sefat Emet  explains that Hoda’a is related to Yehuda, and Hallel is related to Yosef. Leah named her fourth son Yehuda, because she knew that Jacob was destined to have 12 sons, and with four wives, each woman should bear 3 sons. When she gave birth to her fourth son, she realized that she had more than her share. “This time I will acknowledge God,”  I acknowledge that I have received more than my share.

ToolsReview the list above emphasizing the gifts you have received from God that seem to be “More than your fair share.”

Physical Blessings:
Special Gifts:
Spiritual Blessings:
Experiencing God’s Guiding Hand:

II.B
Joseph, the son who wore the coat of many colors, is the name associated with Hallel. His life is understood as a source of light, a shining, or a Hallel. He brought life to the world by feeding everyone. He was a dreamer. He took full advantage of every opportunity God gave him. He was able to inspire others to appreciate God’s Hand in the world.

We must sing our Hallel as Josephs. We must be dreamers who can appreciate the sparks of opportunity in our lives. Our Hallel can be an expression of our dreams and a way to fan our sparks.

ToolsWhat are the most live dreams at this time in my life?
List at least three sparks of opportunity that you have recently experienced

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