Hanerot HALALU | These Lights | Official lyric

Growing up in the South, I was surrounded by the soulful sounds of Motown and gospel legends like Solomon Burke, Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Supremes, Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, and more. Who remembers Motown’s 1968 gospel album “In loving memory?” ✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻

For this rendition of the traditional Hanukkah prayer Hanerot Halalu, I wanted to honor that musical foundation and take it back to the early days of Motown gospel—the music I loved, the sounds that shaped me, and the churches I grew up in.

Hanerot Halalu is a traditional Hanukkah prayer that is sung after lighting the menorah. The lyrics mean:“These lights are holy; they are set apart…”

and serve as a dedication of the Hanukkah candles. The prayer was written centuries ago to commemorate the miracle of the oil and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Maccabees. By singing it, we continue a long tradition of remembering God’s faithfulness and the miracle of the festival.

This rendition is my way of blending the timeless beauty of Jewish liturgy with the soulful, joyful spirit of Motown gospel music.

Ps: id like to give a special shoutout to ​⁠ for being the person whom God used this morning (after days upon days) to finally confirm my thoughts and prayers on this motown Jewish blending for this song! Go check out his fabulous channel!


#Hanukkah #HanerotHalalu #MotownGospel #SoulfulMusic #ewishMusic #Hanukkah2025 #HolidayMusic #GospelVibes #JewishTradition #MiracleOfHanukkah #OldSchoolVibes #rootsinzion #worship #worshipmusic