Hanukkah Menorah - Celebrating Ancient Miracles with Modern Jewish Art
Many Jewish people around the world keep at least one Hanukkah menorah at home and some even collect them. Hanukkah menorah is lit during the famous Jewish holiday Hanukkah for eight successive days. By kindling the Hanukkah menorah Jewish people commemorate ancient miracles that took place in the land of Israel more than 2000 thousand years ago. This ritual of kindling the menorah has been observed for many generations in Jewish communities all across the world. Hanukkah menorah is also spelled as Hanukah menorah, Chanukah menorah and also known by its Hebrew name - Hanukkiya or Chanukkiyah.
Hanukkah menorah is lit during Hanukkah, the Festival of lights
Since many candles are lit in this pleasant Jewish holiday, Hanukkah has become known as the festival of lights. Many Jewish people like to use decorative menorahs and colorful Hanukkah candles to add festivity to the ritual during the holiday. Sometimes a decorative candle holder is also used to light the candles.
If you take a look at a menorah you can see that a Hanukkah menorah has 9 candle holders. The middle candle holder is usually a bit higher and known as the Shamash. The Shamash is lit first and is used to light the other eight candles , one for each day. On the eighth day of Hanukkah all 9 candles are kindled. Throughout history, Hanukkah menorah has become one of the best known symbols of Judaism.
Why do Jewish people kindle the Hanukkah menorah?
In Hanukkah we celebrate religious freedom and the great miracle of the eternal menorah in the holy temple. After rededicating the sacred temple in Jerusalem, the small army of Macabbess removed all the Greek statues that had been placed there by Antiochus. Then, the Maccabbees wanted to light the holy Menorah in the temple, also known as the Eternal Light for its believed ability to shine forever. But to the Maccabbee's dismay, there was only a tiny jug of oil left for the lamp in the temple, which was only enough for one day. Then a miracle took place: the small jug of oil kept the holy menorah lit for eight whole days!
And so, to this day, Jewish people mark this miracle of Hanukkah by kindling the lights of the Hanukkah menorah for eight successive days.
Hanukkah menorah in modern designs - contemporary Judaica gifts
Hanukkah menorah might be the most popular of all Judaica gift offered in the international market. Hanukkah menorah is given as a gift on Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, Jewish wedding, holidays and other occasion.
Contemporary Judaica artists have made a great contribution to the growing selection of Hanukkah menorah. Judaica artists responded to demand by world audiences and created Hanukkah menorahs in assorted materials and styles and in unusual shapes such as Dreidel shaped menorah or a Hanukkah menorah that resembles a tree In many modern-style designs, a Hanukkah menorah will be painted in vibrant, gay colors, meeting the joyful spirit of this special Jewish holiday.
Uniquely designed Hanukkah menorah adds festivity to this special holiday . A Hanukkah menorah by contemporary Judaica artists makes a great gift for Hanukkah or any other Jewish occasions.
