Hanukkah-A Holiday of Light, Oil and Hope
Special thanks to all those artists who contributed their work!
In Hanukkah we celebrate the victory of a small group, whose rights were striped, away over a large and powerful army. The Maccabees were a small, but determined group who relied on passion and wit to win freedom for the Jews of Judea from the armies of King Antiochus.
Once they had secured their freedom they climbed up to the temple to rebuild it from the destruction that the armies of Antiochus had left behind. It would be days before they could get supplies. However, hidden in a corner, left untouched by the destruction, the Maccabees had found a tiny tin of oil to light the Menorah and their hope.
The tiny tin, though holding barely enough oil to light the Menorah for a single night, allowed the light to shine for 8 consecutive days until supplies arrived. This miracle of hope for a better and brighter tomorrow is at the heart of the tradition of lighting candles every night for the duration of the 8 days of Hanukkah.
Traditional Hanukkah Menorah
The Hanukkiah, or Hanukkah Menorah, has a total of 9 candles. One for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and one, that stands slightly taller than the others, called the Shammas (Yiddish), or Shamash (Hebrew). The Shammas is used to light the other candles.
Each evening, as the sun sets and the first three stars appear in the sky, a new day begins according to Jewish tradition. This is when the family gathers around the Menorah, say blessings, light candles, sing, eat, and enjoy. On the first night, we light the Shammas and the first candle, the second night we light the Shammas and two candles, and so on and so forth, until on the final night, a bright light with nine glowing candles lights up the room. It is customary to place the Menorah within sight of the window to light up the dark nights.
But what is a holiday without food?! On Hanukkah, as we celebrate a miracle of oil lasting longer than expected, we celebrate with food and quite a bit of oil. Nope, this is not a diet friendly holiday! The two signature dishes are potato latkes (potato pancakes) made of grated potatoes and onions and devoured with applesauce or sour cream. Modern takes on this classic dish include sweet potato and zucchini latkes. The signature Hanukkah treat is the jelly filled doughnut! This delicious treat has also known modern modifications as gourmet doughnuts filled with various creams and delightful toppings fill the bakeries and the streets of Israel in the early days of winter with sweet scents pouring out of open doors and windows.
Potato Latkes and Jelly Filled Doughnut
A favorite Israeli children’s song for Hanukkah reads:
We have come to expel the darkness,
In our hands are light and fire.
Each of us is a tiny glow,
Together we are a mighty light.
Depart shadows, away darkness,
Clear away from the light!
As winter descends on a world mid pandemic, it is good to remember that as in the past, together we can shine bright and bring forth the light. We can make a better tomorrow through passion and wit. We can bring the gleaming, beaming, luminescence to our every day.
As we light the Menorah we use one candle to light another, we are thus reminded that we are each responsible to carry forth the light, and together we will shine bright.
Of course, the most traditional craft during this holiday is making a Hanukkah menorah. It is a really fun project since there are barely any limitations, you can use any materials you like, such as bottle caps, clay, even Legos - as long as they are fairly fire retardant. If you want to use pine-cones or wood, be sure they are coated or painted to prevent fire.
Here are some examples from some Israeli artists and friends:
Clay Hanukkah Menorah by Adi Ne’eman.
Hanukkah Menorah made from horse shoe and waste car parts
by Scrap Metal Artist Lior Ya’acobbi
Hanukkah Menorah made from sticks and Nespresso Cups (Left)
Hanukkah Menorah made from bottle caps and wood panel (Right)
By Ma’ayan Ohayon
Hanukkah Menorah made from objects found in nature (rocks, pine-cones) and in the home.
By Ms. Huang
Hanukkah Menorah made from pipe cleaners, air-dry clay, and paint.
By Ms. Huang
Now, as you set off and make your own Hanukkah Menorah, we would love to see your art. Send us a picture to rabbitcandyartscrafts@gmail.com and surprise us with your choice of materials!