My drunken candles

 Last night we lit all the candles on the menorah. So, 8 candles plus the one that lights them all.

This is our immigration menorah. So my question is: why are the candles burning at different rates? Why are they leaning in all different directions? All from the same box of candles. I have no answer. It is what it is. But they are kind of cute.

Happy First Day of Chanukah

Jewish holidays start at sunset the night before, so we lit the first candle last night.  Today is the second day of Chanukah, and that's why there are two candles on the right.  The one on the left is used to light the other candles.

Is this not the cutest menorah?  We have a small collection of them.  Tomorrow I'll pick another one.

 

Traditionally we eat latkes (potato pancakes) or doughnuts for the holiday.  But the Hubz and I don't do this because the last thing we want is more fried food.

Here is the story of Chanukah.

It's an important story because it celebrates religious freedom, but is actually a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar.  We don't bother with gift exchanging; we have enough trouble figuring out birthdays.  But we do give our kids and grands gifts.  Nothing crazy or outrageous.  Just some nice presents.  It's a pretty low-key holiday.  It is not the Jewish Christmas.  There is NO Jewish Christmas.  Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth;  Chanukah celebrates religious freedom..  It's just that the two holidays fall at the same time of year, so there is this sense that it is the Jewish Christmas.  

Edited at 4 PM today:  Stay tuned for an equally adorable menorah for tomorrow.  This one is probably my favorite!

All the candles were lit.

This was the last night to light the Chanukah candles. Aren't they pretty?

Happy Chanukah!

First night.  Yep, candles are burning, but you can't see the shames.  That's the candle that lights the other candles.

Said the prayers, sang the songs.  No latkes, however.  We went to Mom's residence's Chanukah party on Sunday and consumed enough tasty fried food for the rest of the year. 

Our menorah was bought a few years ago and depicts an immigrant family setting out for New York.