Category Archives: Memories

Menorah or Hanukkiah

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Since we are in the time of the celebration of Hanukkah (ˈhä-nə-kə) (also spelled Chanukah or Hanukah), I think it is fun to look at a distinction between a menorah used in the temple and a menorah used during Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days starting on 25 Kislev on the Jewish calendar. This year that translates to November 28 – December 6.

The Menorah (mə-ˈnȯr-ə) was created under the leadership of Moses according to instructions in Exodus 25:31-40. It was carried as part of the furniture in the Tabernacle as the Hebrews wandered in the desert for 40 years. It was placed in the Temple when it was built by Solomon. It has been rebuilt by the Temple Institute which is creating the furniture to be placed in the Temple when it is rebuilt.

Please note the seven lamps. I cannot find confirmation for this, but I believe the seven lamps remind us of the days when God created the world and then rested.

When walking in the Old City of Jerusalem it is an awesome sight. You can get an idea of the size by looking at the people nearby in the picture. My response when I saw it was “Wow!

Hanukkah is the celebration of the time the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee and his four brothers, took back the temple from the Greeks/Syrians. The temple was cleansed. A consecrated oil was used in the menorah, but the Maccabees could only find enough consecrated oil to light the menorah for one day. A miracle occurred because the one-day worth of oil lasted for eight days during which more oil could be consecrated.

Hanukkah is the one Jewish festival not in the Bible because the events occurred during the time between the Old and New Testaments.

The Hanukkiah (hanukki-ah) is a modern term for the variation of menorah. It holds eight candles plus a helper candle which lights the rest. The eight candles represent the eight days the oil lasted until new oil could be consecrated. On the first day of Hanukkah, the helper candle is used to light just one candle. An additional candle is lit each night.

Menorah made by the Temple Institute to be placed in the Temple when it is rebuilt. The menorah weighs one-half ton. It contains forty-five kilograms of twenty-four karat gold. Its estimated value is approximately three million dollars. This picture and the information is from https://templeinstitute.org/history-holy-temple-menorah/
One of many styles of Hannukiah (modern terminology) to be used during Hanukkah.

Thanksgiving

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Thank you in Hebrew is toda raba (toe-DAH ruh-BAH).

Most of our trips to Israel were with the Israeli Celebration Dancers. At that time, our daughter was a member of this group from northern Colorado. On one trip, they went to a store in an ultra-orthodox area of Jerusalem called Mea Shearim.


One of the problems with my going on a trip with dancers is my own physical condition. Being overweight and not in good shape sometimes made it difficult for me to keep up while walking.

This day was hot, and the walk was long. It was challenging for me to keep up. The group would get ahead of Roy and me and then wait for us to catch up to ensure we didn’t get lost. Despite their kindness of waiting, the problem worsened because they would get rest, but I would not.


When we arrived at Mea Shearim, I was exhausted, and judging from people’s reactions, I must have looked pretty bad. I’ve been told I was pale, fighting to breathe, and shaking.

However, an old woman, a beggar, saw me as we approached the place she was standing. She stepped inside the store in front of which she stood, brought out a chair, and insisted I sit down and rest. It was a difficult conversation since neither of us spoke the other’s language.


We were later told begging is considered a profession, and beggars are licensed to work in specific areas. However, I have not been able to confirm that information.


After I rested for a little while and could breathe better, I wanted to give her a donation in thanks for her kindness. She would not accept any donations from me or anyone in our group. She even went as far as to go inside one of the stores to avoid us.


The dancers purchased their music, and Roy and I bought a cd we still enjoy.


Thanksgiving reminds me of this time when a beggar gave up a portion of her livelihood to show me such great kindness without expecting or wanting anything in return. She is a shining reminder of the type of love and kindness Jesus calls us to offer one another.

This CD is one of my favorites. One of the original songs is “I am the Flower.” One verse is “I who am nothing, Cry out this blessing, Blessed art thou high above, You are our father, Shower your children with love.” Another favorite is “Somewhere Moshiach” which is about the longing for the coming of the Messiah.
While there are some beautiful original songs, there are also fun ones including “Seven Shabbos Candles” set to the tune of “Seven Spanish Angels;” “The Little Old Lady Named Pessy Deena” to the tune of “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena;” “Shabbos Goy,” to the tune of “Soldier Boy;” and “I’m Proud to be a Part of Am Yisroel” to the tune of “Okie from Muskogee.”

The Upper Room

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As I’m writing these blogs, my goal is to share not only the things and places I’ve seen on my trips to Israel but also to share the emotions and thoughts about my faith that came with those sights. Visiting the place archeologists have determined to be the Upper Room sent me to do a lot of research.

We learn about this room and events in Matthew 26:1-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-38, and John 13:1-38. Here, Jesus shared the His last supper with the disciples. This is where He foretold the denial by Peter, where He identified Judas as the man who would betray Him, and where He washed the disciples’ feet.

To stand in this room and visualize the Last Supper brought tears to my eyes. Even today, when we celebrate communion, I can see Jesus sitting across a rugged table in this room, foretelling what will happen to Him.

In Acts, chapters 1 and 2, the Bible tells us the disciples returned here to wait for the Holy Spirit as Jesus instructed them. It is here the Spirit empowered the disciples, and the Christian church was formed.

We were told during the persecution of the Christians by the Romans, all symbols of Jesus and His followers were destroyed. All but one. The pelicans on the columns remain today. Like many Christians today, the Romans did not know the pelican symbolized how much God loves us. Here is one link of many telling the legend of the pelican.

In this picture, the room appears quite spacious. However, my guesstimate of the size is 25 feet by 25 feet or about 625 square feet. In addition, I have problems visualizing 120 people in this room.

Not Sure What to Post

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I’m really not sure what to post this week because it is the fifth Friday of the month. When I started this blog, I had a solid plan for four Fridays in a month.

First, one of the stories that holds a special place in my heart from my trips to Israel. Second, a fun story about food. Third, how things are going with my writing, especially about my book(s) about the birth of Jesus called Jesus Gets Hand-Me-Downs. And fourth, a special item for sale in Israel. But I wasn’t sure about the fifth Friday and I’m still not.

One suggestion is to do a give-away box of some of the interesting items from Israel, but I don’t have that possibility put together, largely due to cost. Another idea is to create some of my short stories, framed and suitable for hanging.

I’m still working on other ideas so I’m open to suggestions. Please send me your ideas and I’ll come up with a special gift for the originator of any I use.

Following the Word

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One of the many things that touched my heart both when I purchased it in Israel and in the time that has passed since my trips to Israel is a silver hand pointing the way on the end of a short silver rod.

My daughter and I were shopping in a tiny, little shop in the Old City (Jerusalem) called The Silver Pointer. Esther is the wonderful lady who owns the shop.

I didn’t know why anyone would want something like this “hand.” Esther explained that the Word of God is too sacred to be touched by human hands. Therefore, a hand on a rod like this one was used to follow along the page, Word by Word, when reading the Bible. This is especially important so the reader does not lose his place when reading out loud.

To someone who writes and draws in her Bible, it seems strange to say not to touch the Word of God, yet I find it comforting to keep it on my desk where I read and study the Bible.

It is a constant reminder of a gift God gave us so we could get to know him better and better each day.