Chanukah Lights

One of the names of Chanukah is Chag ha’urim, the Holiday of Lights.

In Jerusalem on the first night of the holiday,

one could find both large public flames

and small private ones.

This bright chanukiah was on display in Mamilla Mall,

but the mall itself, inside

and out, was full of lights.

Each night of Chanukah, hundreds of people tour the Jewish Quarter of the Old City,

many are families with young children who run excitedly through the streets,

counting the lights,

 low and high above.

Some of the flames burn quietly inside a residence,

while others are placed outside by the door post

and closely attended.

The large chanukiah, at the Kotel, the Western Wall, received attention

when it was lit by the chief rabbis on the first night of Chanukah.

However, near by a couple of hours later, these two boys to the left,

  lighting two small candles attracted people who joined in the singing…

maybe off-key, but sharing the light and mood in the spirit of the holiday.

A new Chabad menorah was put up in Mamilla Mall this year

and a crowd gathered waiting for

Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger to light it for the first time.

 Chanukah lights burned in a pizza shop in the Old City,

in windows in the city center

and in many windows all around Jerusalem.

So many Chanukah lights and this year for the first time there is a fire truck ready…

 by Mughrabi Bridge at the Kotel Plaza.

Happy Holiday!

Please decide for yourself on the singing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyf8f29QOdg&feature=share

chanukiah: a special menorah for Chanukah, 8 lights are the same one for each night

and 1 larger the shamash that is used to light the flames of

 the Chanukah lights.

14 thoughts on “Chanukah Lights

  • December 22, 2011 at 4:55 pm
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    Your pictures and your verse are both beautiful, I’m so glad we’re living in Israel now, with the possibility of visiting Jerusalem during the chag. Otherwise, the longing would be almost unbearable.

    Reply
  • December 22, 2011 at 9:34 pm
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    love your pics! jerusalem sites and pple are lovely! chag samaech and shabbat shalom to all.

    Reply
  • December 22, 2011 at 10:07 pm
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    We love Chanukah in Yerushalayim and the whole country. Our kids in RBS skyped us when they and the grandkids were lighting their chanukiot and singing. Longing and yearning are not the words for it. It is a visceral desire and need to be in Eretz HaKodesh with our cherished family and all of k’lal israel. Seeing the Chanukiyah flames and the devotion of the kindlers in Y’lem make the feelings more intense and urgent. May Moshiach come in our days – reeeeeal soon. Keep up the beautiful work, Sharon. May you and all your family and generations have a sweet, enlightening, joyous Chanukah.

    Ilene

    Reply
  • December 25, 2011 at 9:31 am
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    It’s amazing how you capture the spirit of Chanukah here. The pictures are all beautiful!

    Reply
  • December 27, 2011 at 7:34 pm
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    Wow, I just found this on Facebook and just love your pictorial view of Jerusalem. I really appreciate your perspective, both visually and thematically. Have subscribed and forwarded to friends!

    Reply
    • December 27, 2011 at 8:16 pm
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      Great! Check out the new one. while the entire media was focused on a few crazies in Bet Shemesh…see what was really happening in Jerusalem

      Reply
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