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.
