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Hanukkah 5775

[EDITORIAL NOTE: Usually, on big holidays, I post a photo or video, something short as a celebration and let us otherwise have a day off from the blog. This year, a contributor to The Elder Storytelling Place sent a Hanukkah story for that blog but it seems a good fit here today. Happy Hanukkah, everyone.]



MY MOTHER'S MENORAH

By Trudi Kappel

More than half a century ago, my mother received a birthday present of a Hanukkah menorah from her father. It is sterling silver, of a modern design and, unusual, burns oil not candles. When my Mother died, 23 years ago, I inherited it.

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I identify as an ethnic but not a religious Jew. The times I have visited a synagogue can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Yet, each December I polish my menorah, re-wick it and light it. The first night two lights, the following night three until on the last night all nine glow. It is very beautiful and the tradition continues.

I wonder who will light this menorah when I am gone.


At The Elder Storytelling Place today, Trudi Kappel: 500 Words

Comments

Could you will your menorah to a special family who would pass it down through the generations?

It is beautiful!

I'm with Diane. Find a special person who will appreciate the menorah and will it to him or her.

Happy Hanukkah to any of Ronni's Jewish blog followers.

Happy Hanukkah, Rooni, and to all who celebrate this beautiful tradition.

Even the more secular of us celebrate this holiday. I guess, in some way, it is our answer to to Christmas which overwhelms all of our lives this time of year. Amazing, the miracles of Christmas and Hanukkah both involve stories of hope,faith,courage and love.

Hanukkah greetings to everyone.

What a lovely tradition you've continued - also felt that, for you, this might be a loving, connecting tribute or salute! to your mother?

I have discovered that nearly every religion and culture, no matter how ancient or modern, has always held a "festival of light" in the middle of the dark, cold and killing winter in an effort to beg their god or gods to bring back the light and warmth and nourishing of the life-giving sun.

It seems to be a very basic instinct to pray for the warmth and life giving rays of the sun. Think of Christmas, Hannukah, Divali, and so many, many more!

How Beautiful. Some lucky person will most certainly take the honor of lighting this Treasured Manorah!

Happy Hanukkah Ronni! Enjoy everything sweet and tasty today!

Latkes, wine and cookies - forget the diet today and all week long!

Happy Hanukkah, Ronni.

Your manorah is absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed hearing about it.

Latkes are one of my favourite delights. There is a little restaurant around here, that makes them just right.

Enjoy your tradition, and yes, what a lovely idea it is to think about willing your menorah to a very special person.

Big internet hugs coming your way from a library in Montreal.

ATTENTION READERS:
Please note that this menorah belongs to Trudi Kappel who wrote today's story.

It is not mine.

A young Israeli woman who is a FB 'acquaintance' (a friend of a long-time friend) has shared some interesting bits of information about Hanukkah. Not the ones some of us already know, about the Maccabees and the one-day supply of oil that lasted eight days. The story may be even more ancient. It's about observing the change of the seasons. Instead of stopping at December 21 (or the "shortest" day of the year), you continue in reverse order by lighting all the candles again in sequence, until there are once more eight candles lit, to mark the days growing longer.

And, the menorah used for Hanukkah is called a "hanukkiya."

Happy Hanukkah Ronni. I hope Trudi finds the right person or family to carry her treasure forward into the future.

Happy Hanukkah to Trudi. Like her, I'm non-religious. I don't have a menorah, but I do have a lovely glass cat Christmas tree ornament that I've had for many years. Like her, I wonder what will happen to my "Christmas cat" in a few years when I am gone. We have a lovely 9 Y/O granddaughter by one of my husband's sons, and I plan to ask if she would like to have it.

ROSEBUD

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