| Almost all Jewish families throughout the world | | | | it yourself, but it is much cleaner. |
| celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah which | | | | Once you decide if you want to light candles or oil |
| takes place for 8 days during the Jewish month of | | | | you can go searching for the right Hanukkia. One |
| Kislev. There are a number of traditions that coincide | | | | suggestion is to find one that can hold both oil and |
| with this holiday the most popular being the lighting of | | | | candles. If you are buying a Hanukkia for a religiously |
| the Hanukkah Menorah or "Hanukkia" as it is called in | | | | observant Jew you should note that not all menorahs |
| Hebrew. | | | | on the market are "kosher". In order to be kosher, |
| First of all, the Hanukkia is lit during each night of the | | | | the Hanukkia has to have all of the candles in a |
| Hanukkah, preferably at sundown. The first night one | | | | straight line and on the same level (the shamash is |
| begins by lighting the "shamash" - the extra candle | | | | usually elevated in the middle or side). |
| used to light the others, and one candle put in on the | | | | There are many types of Hanukkiot available on the |
| far right of your menorah. The second night one | | | | market and are made out of every conceivable |
| lights the shamash and two candles, the next night | | | | object. A friend of mine has made 200 different |
| three, and this is how it goes until the last night when | | | | Hanukiot from materials ranging from toy cars, to |
| all eight candles plus the shamash are burning. | | | | nuts and bolts. Many people like to buy them made |
| Candles vs. Oil | | | | out of silver for a classic look, but these need to be |
| Most people use candles in their Hanukkiot and these | | | | polished. |
| days they come in many beautiful shapes, sizes and | | | | I prefer a more modern look such as the |
| colors. I recommend "dripless" candles that make less | | | | colorful-painted wooden designs of Israeli designer |
| of a mess on your table and don't ruin your Hanukkia. | | | | Yair Emanuel. He makes several kinds of Hanukkiot, |
| Even the dripless candles sometimes drip and it can | | | | some are suitable for children, some for wedding |
| be a messy business. I recommend putting aluminum | | | | gifts, such as the Chagall design, and others are good |
| foil underneath your Hanukkia while it is lit, and be | | | | for any family. |
| very careful as they are being lit - I suggest lighting | | | | The cast stone designs by Shulamit Kanter are |
| together WITH your child if he or she is young. | | | | another personal favorite. They have a very elegant |
| Never place your Hanukkia near a curtain and make | | | | and Israeli look to them. They come in many |
| sure the table they are on is stable. | | | | different patterns from pomegranates to simple |
| If you want a more authentic candle lighting | | | | mosaic designs. |
| experience, you should buy a Hanukkia that can use | | | | Stained glass artist Mirry Reich also makes menorahs |
| oil. This is the way Hanukkiot have been lit in the past | | | | which are beautiful to use during Hanukkah. They also |
| two thousand years since the Macabees and many | | | | make gorgeous decorations in the house during the |
| traditional Jewish homes, especially in the orthodox | | | | rest of the year - especially put in a place where the |
| world still use oil. In Israel it is a tradition to put one's | | | | light can shine on them. |
| Hanukkia in a glass display box outside on the street | | | | All of these artists have created Menorahs that can |
| to publicize the Hanukkah miracle. This is part of the | | | | be used either with candles or with oil. Remember, |
| mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkia. Oil (most use olive | | | | when you are buying a beautiful piece of Judaica you |
| oil) burns longer than candles, but it is a bit messy. | | | | should take good care of it so that you can use it |
| Make sure you give yourself room to work and also | | | | for many years and display it in your home all year. |
| put aluminum on the table under your Hanukkia. Some | | | | They are an especially great gift for a Bar or Bat |
| Jewish shops sell little glass containers with the oil and | | | | Mitzvah or for a Jewish wedding. |
| wicks already prepared. These cost more than doing | | | | Happy lighting! |