We have collected some holiday favorites from Jewish communities around the world. Have a listen to these recordings of Hanukkah songs and blessings from the Library’s National Sound Archive.
Ashkenaz Candle Lighting Blessing
Performed by Eliyahu Kum
Recorded by the National Sound Archives
Chabad Synagogue, the Old City, Jerusalem, Hanukkah 1968
YC 1945
Carlebach Style Candle Lighting Blessing
Performed by Shlomo Carlebach accompanied by instruments and audience
Recorded by Ephraim Yaakov
Wise Auditorium, Jerusalem, Hanukkah 1979
YC 1537
Hungarian Candle Lighting Blessing
Performed by Abraham Ahrenfeld
Recorded by Avigdor Herzog
The National Sound Archives studio, 1975
Y 1851
Algerian Candle Lighting Blessing
Performed by Meir Zini
Communaute Israelite
France, 1966
YC 2930
Sephardic Candle Lighting Blessing
Performed and recorded by the Recanati Family
Hanukkah 1968
YC 2865
Maoz Zur
Ashkenaz Version – Maoz Zur
Arranged and conducted by Arieh Levanon
Performed by Kol Israel Choir
1962
MCD 74
Germany, Frankfurt – Maoz Zur
Performed by Mr. Friedenberg
Recorded by Avigdor Herzog
Jerusalem, 1957
Y 3336
Hungary – Maoz Zur
Performed by Abraham Ahrenfeld
Recorded by Avigdor Herzog
The National Sound Archive studio, 1975
Y 1851
Boyan Hassidim – Maoz Zur
(Yewanim Niqbezu Alay)
Performed by a group of Hassidim
Recorded by Yaakov Mazor
“Tisch” on “Zot Hanukkah”
Tif’eret Yisrael Yeshiva, Jerusalem 1987
Y 5623
Italy, Verona (Ashkenaz) – Maoz Zur
(Variant of the tune transcribed by
Benedetto Marcello in the 18th century)
Performed by Mario Volterra
Recorded by Leo Levi
Italy, Bologna, 1956
Y 156
Mizmor Shir Chanukat Ha-bayit (Psalm 30)
Algeria, Oran
Performed by Meir Zini
Communaute Israelite
France, 1966
YC 2930
Shnei Nikhratim (Piyyut for “Shabbat Hanukkah”)
France, Alsace
Performed by Michel Heymann
Recorded by Chana Englard
Mulhouse, France, 1988
Y 5913
Yiddish song: Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh
Performed by Louis Danto
Recorded by Chana Englard
Hekhal Shelomo, Jerusalem, Hanukkah 1982
Yc 2137
You tell stories,
Innumerable legends:
You tell of blood,
Triumph and courage –
Wonders of the past! When I see you lighting
A shiny dream comes about,
An old dream is speaking:
“Jew, you fought once,
Jew, you triumphed once”.
God! It’s hardly believable! Oh, you little candles!
Your stories
Awaken my pain,
Deep down my heart moves
And with tears a question rises,
“What will happen now?”
Judeo-Spanish song: Dak il tas
Turkey
Performed by Bienvenida Aguado
Recorded by Susana Weich-Shahak
Bat-Yam, 2001
CD 2980
Dak il tas, toma’l tas
Las muchachas meten bas
En Sabat de Hanukkah
Ocho dias de Hanukkah
Lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
El vino de la serada
Que a mi muncho m’agrada
A beber en Hanukkah
Ocho dias…
Mete la carne al tandur
Taneremos un buen santur
En Shabat de Hanukkah
Ocho dias…
English translation:
Strike the tray, take from the tray
The girls play
On Shabbath Hanukkah.
Eight days of Hanukkah
“To light a candle of Hanukkah”
Try these articles as well:
Bringing Darkness to Light: Singing Chanukah Songs Through the Holocaust
The Enigmatic Researcher of the Magic of Music
The Majesty and the Mystery of Kol Nidre
