Tonight is the beginning of the 8-day Festival of Lights. Happy Chanuka!
Normally the chanukiya (Chanuka menorah) is lit at nightfall, when it is dark. But tonight is also the eve of the Sabbath, so we light the chanukiya BEFORE sundown and THEN light the two Shabbat candles.
This because making fire is considered work and work is forbidden on the Sabbath, the day of rest.
In the first photo you see my modern-style chanukiya (gift from dear daughter Naomi) in the kitchen window.The chanukiya is traditionally placed in a window or near the door or is lit outside in order to "publicize the miracle" to everyone.
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The candle at the left is the shamash, the servant candle which lights the others.
Tomorrow night there will be two candles and one shamash.
Every night another candle is added and the light increases.
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Shabbat shalom and happy Chanuka!
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And many thanks to all the non-Jewish bloggers who are beginning to post about Chanuka and especially to actress/author/blogger Petrea at Pasadena Daily Photo for her kind words about me and her deep insights about life.
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Shabbat Shalom Dina, and a blessed Chanuka.
ReplyDeleteOh Dina, you are sweet! Happy Chanuka to you and all.
ReplyDeleteDina:
ReplyDeleteMy darling Petrea brought me to your site.....wondeful.
Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat Shalom.
Barbara in California
Shabbat shalom and happy Chanuka!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tradition to celebrate the Light. Thank you for your post.
Ha! So that's what it took to get Barbara to get a Blogger sign-in.
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom!
ReplyDeleteChag Hanukkah Sameach!
Nice Chanuka posting! Thanks for letting me be first!
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Shabbat shalom! Happy Hanukkah!! I've got my Menorah set up in the window and ready to light tonight.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Paris I used a "make-shift" menorah of tea lights in Ikea light holders, but now that I'm back in the states I have my grandmother's old menorah which I love.
Happy Hanukkah Dina and all! I learned something new today and will place the menorah by my window.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know that it started today.. Happy Chanuka
ReplyDeleteHappy Hannukah Dina, and Shabbat Shalom.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I didn't get a photo of our menorahs tonight? Me neither. Off to the archives it is...
Happy Chanuka to you, Dina.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating the light is an excellent way to bring more of it into our lives.
Ah Dina what better way than to celebrate with light...
ReplyDeleteoh and yes here is wishing you everlasting love and light.
ReplyDeleteHappy Chanuka
the first dance I ever learned was the circle dance Chanuka
ReplyDelete"oh Chanuka oh Chanuka come light the menorah, well have a party we'll all the dance the horah" (I still remember the lyrics)
that one!
Happy start to Chanuka Dina
Bazman Haseh!
ReplyDeleteShalom & Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
As others have written: Shabbat Shalom, Dina, and a blessed Chanuka.
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom, Dina. Have a very peaceful, happy Chanuka celebration. I never quite know how to spell it. In Illinois I remember seeing Hanukkah or Chanukah. Now I see Chanuka. Is there a correct version? I think I used Chanukah in my holiday greetings to our Jewish friends.
ReplyDeleteA really beautiful post. Shabbat Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!
ReplyDeleteShalom Dina,and a very happy Chanuka to you ,your family and to your country too.My regards.
ReplyDeleteLet there be light in your life !
ReplyDeleteHave you see or read the new edition of The Gospel of Judas?
ReplyDeleteI just got it from Amazon and have been stunned by the revelations in it.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/05/judas-gospel/cockburn-text
You can read some about it here on National Geographic.
I saw the television version NG had on the other night and was mesmerized.
You are ever a source of information and inspiration. Happy Hannukah
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