Hannukkah; Festival Of Lights.

The ongoing tragedy in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa has taken the glow off what should have been a fun and traditional Festival.

Hannukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Schools are closed for the festival and Children celebrate with parties and the lighting of a special candelabra, The Menoarah [Hannukiya].
The Menorah has 9 branches, one of them higher or lower than the others. This one is the giver of light for the others and is traditionally used to light the other 8 candles.
The holiday lasts for 8 days and an extra candle is lit each evening until all eight, plus the 'Shamash' are lit.

Let us spare a thought for all those Children and families for whom this Hannukkah will be spent in mourning and sadness after the terrible fires.

Londonbus1





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Happy Hannukkah Michael.

Thanks Butch !

Pics from tonight's Dinner.











The last pic shows one of the kids holding a Dreidel or Spinning top [Sevivon in Hebrew]. This is a great festive toy for the young and they spin for hours. Traditionally, it has 4 sides each with a letter. In English the letters mean ' A great miracle happened there'.
This refers to the Holy Book when the High Priest needed Olive Oil for the new Menorah of the Second Temple. A small amount of Oil was found enough to give light for one day. But by a miracle, the Oil burned for 8 days and since then the Hanukkah festival has lasted for 8 days.
A Driedel is depicted on the USA stamp in the initial post and on the Tab of the Israel stamp below, a joint issue with the USA in 1995.



Londonbus1

Wonderful pictures..... thanks for posting them.

One of my neighbors is Jewish and her children taught my daughter how to play with the Dreidel. She loves it and has her own now.

Nice LB1

Heineken, the official Beer of the Holidays :)

Yes. Happy Hanukkah Londonbus. It is indeed a happy time. So sorry about the forest fire in the mountains. From the scant news reports here, Israel does not have very much forested land, so a real tragedy.

we need to play him the Hanukkah song... Michael look it up on youtube. Adam Sandler

Happy Hanukkah Londonbus.

Happy Hannukkah! Lovely pics!

Happy Hanukkah to all.

Is the base of the Menorah in the shape of a hexagon for any reason or just to be symmetrical and sturdy?

No reason I believe. These days there are many weird and wonderful shapes. Many villages,clubs and holy places hold competitions to see who can make the best looking Menorah.
We do it most years here in our village.
The one in the pic belonged to my Mother-in-Law so has sentimental value. The wall-type design of that hexagon base lead me to think it was based on something from Jerusalem. Not sure what at present, but will check it out.

Thanks for joining in the thread everyone.

Londonbus1

Interesting painting of the Taj Mahal on the wall in the first pic. Nice.

It's a photo ! I took it with a really dodgy and old camera and was delighted with the outcome. The pic here does not do it full justice.



Maharajabus1

Wow, the close up of the close up is impressive. Thanks for posting!

I have always thought that it is not the camera that makes the picture but not the photographer and you have shown that to be true.

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Oh, typos here, typos there

Looks like you have a fine family, Michael.

Either that or you went to someone else's house and photographed their kids and grandkids

Thanks for sharing,
Kirk