New York – Trying to spell that upcoming Jewish holiday with the eight nights is a lot like playing “Wheel of Fortune.” You know there’s an “H,” an “N” and a “K”, but you’re not sure how many and in what order. And what about that “C”? Is there or isn’t there? It’s a hard puzzle to solve. In fact, buying a vowel may be your only hope. Even two conservative rabbis agree there’s no real correct spelling since, technically, the word is Hebrew. “It has solely to do with how it gets transliterated,” says Rabbi Mark Greenspan. “And it’s different for everyone.” The Post learned this firsthand when several New Yorkers suggested explanations for six different spellings!
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HANUKAH
“It has the shortest amount of letters.” – Rebecca
HANNUKAH
“It’s the more phonetic way.” – Tracy
HANUKKAH
” ‘Chanukah’ or ‘Chanuka’ seems so old-fashioned and early Brooklyn. Hanukkah with an ‘H’ seems happy, hip and generous!” – Barbara
CHANUKAH
“We the Chosen People have got to own that guttural ‘CH’ sound whenever possible, lest it be lost to us and reserved only for throat-clearing and loogie-
hocking. And there need only be one ‘K’ in this word. Two is just excessive. (Besides, you can save the tile and use it on another word; it’s worth three points, you shnorrer!) What’s more, Chanukah has eight letters, each of which can represent one of eight crazy nights to come!” – Dan
CHANNUKAH
“The ‘CH’ is more Jew-y. And you must double your consonants whenever possible. This way, you sound like an ol’ biblical sage.” – Gabe
CHANUKKAH
“When writing a Jew, I spell it ‘Chanukkah’ because Jews get that excellent guttural, throaty thing going. When communicating with goyim I’ll spell it Hanukkah.” – Ken
So spin the wheel, er, dreidel: Everyone leaves with a bag of chocolate coins or a plate of greasy latkes, no matter how it’s spelled!
First get the menorah straight
“Even two conservative rabbis agree there’s no real correct spelling” There is very little that any of their “rabbis” agree on because they have no mesora and each is can do whatever he wants.
The real way is CHANNIKAH ( chassidic way) All others are the modern way. The Hungarians can’t say the CH sound, so they say Hannuka. hehehe
According to the famous Chineese jewish historian, Chan-Uka in his book “why jew love chineese food and latkes”, the word Chanuka is a code word for Latkes written in old old Talmudic code.
what is the correct way to spell Menorah, Menora, Menoireh?
It’s not an English word, so there’s no REAL English spelling!
exactly . you have just the right answer . how come no one thought of this . now I can go right ahead and light my channukah or chanukah menorah without worrying about the correct spelling since its not an english word anyway . thanks for enlightning us all . I am forever greatfull to you .
It is spelled chet nun kof hei.
Next question.