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.
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.
Thank you and there are still five more days..so much to do!
Great stuff as usual. Longing? I get that.
How great to see one of my first “fans” is still around, thanks for your support from the beginning!
love your pics! jerusalem sites and pple are lovely! chag samaech and shabbat shalom to all.
Thanks, Shabat shalom!!
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
Thanks, was worried had not heard from you in so long!
It’s amazing how you capture the spirit of Chanukah here. The pictures are all beautiful!
Sarah thank you!
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!
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
Pingback: Counting Chanukiot or Hanukkiot « The Real Jerusalem Streets
Pingback: Jerusalem Biggest and Best of Hanukkah – The Real Jerusalem Streets