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1. Are there any specific customs with regard to the kindling of the hanukkiah?

Two principles guide all of the hanukkiah customs. One is the obligation to light the hanukkiah in order to publicize the miracle of the oil. This concept underlies the tradition of placing the hanukkiah in a place where it is visible to passersby (i.e. near a window). In ancient times, Jews put their hanukkiot outside for all to see, except when living in the midst of religious persecution.

The most usual time for lighting is right after sundown, and the candles should remain burning for a least a half-hour, to span the traditional time when people walking home from the marketplace would have viewed the lights. On Friday night, the Hanukkah lights should be kindled early, before the Shabbat lights, because lighting fire is not permitted once the Sabbath has arrived.

Interestingly, olive oil for the light is the most preferred because it was used by the Maccabees during the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The last principle guiding the candle lighting tradition is that the lights should be used solely for the celebration of the Hanukkah festival and not for any person benefit such as lighting a room. For this reason the shamash (extra candle) is used each day to light the main Hanukkah candles and is placed distinctly apart from the other candles. In that way, any benefit we might gain from the light is understood to be from the shamash and not from the ritual lights themselves.

2. What is the origin of the giving of Hanukkah "gelt?"

Gelt is the Yiddish word for money. The giving of gelt is a relatively recent custom, with its origins unclear. Some say the custom might be associated with the older Purim custom of sending gifts to the poor. Another possible association is found in the 16th century Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), which specifically mentions that we should derive no benefit from the hanukkiah, "even to use the light to count your money." In the 19th century, when Jews started manufacturing chocolate, the tradition developed into giving chocolate coins to children instead of real money. Chocolate gelt adds to the fun and taste of the holiday and provides something innocent to wager when playing dreidel.

3. Most Jewish holidays have alternative names. Is this true of Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is also popularly known as "Hag ha'Urim" -- the Festival of Lights. But the reason is an interesting one, if you were to believe it. According to a recent astrological theory, Halley's comet came very close to the earth's atmosphere during the time of the Hanukkah story in 165 BCE. The comet's tail could be seen as a wondrous great light in the sky, and was quite likely to be seen by the Jews after the victory of the Maccabees. One recent theory has it that because of this great light in the sky, Hanukkah has come to be known as the great festival of lights.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. His forthcoming new book is "Siddur Or Shalom," a Shabbat morning prayerbook. Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.