Our Candles, Ourselves
Tablet Magazine's picks for this year's most enlightening Hanukkah menorahs
| 7:00 am Dec 15, 2009 | Print | Email / Share
Some people like their hanukkiahs, the nine-branched menorah used at Hanukkah, to serve as a stately and elegant backdrop for reflecting on the glowing lights, miracles, and how long the smell of fried latkes will stay in the curtains. Others prefer a funkier hanukkiah that expresses something about them—the candles serve as a spotlight to highlight their unique taste. When it comes to menorahs for kids, you can pretty much find one for every preference, from the generic (sports or ballerinas), to the branded (“Harry Potter”, Disney), to the bizarre. As we hit Hanukkah’s halfway point, the ritual of candle lighting risks becoming routine. Here are some offbeat favorite hanukkiahs, plus a few that leave us scratching our heads, to keep the holiday vibrant.
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Best hanukkiah that pays tribute to New Orleans without referencing Katrina
$375, Etsy -
Best hanukkiah that can serve as dollhouse furniture the rest of the year
$75, Etsy -
Best hanukkiah for those who take Adam Sandler’s advice and celebrate with “gin and tonicas”
$12.95, Baron Bob -
Best hanukkiah for Ivanka and Jared’s first Hanukkah as a married couple
$1,141, Home Deco Direct -
Best hanukkiah that is both “green” and green
$69, Etsy -
Best hanukkiah that is both “green” and fair trade
$24, Ten Thousand Villages -
Best menorah for hunters or hipsters
$99.95, Etsy -
Best hanukkiahs for those who want to remember what the twin towers looked like against a flaming backdrop ($49.95, Menorah.com), or prefer to celebrate the military-victory aspect of Hanukkah ($89, Menorah.com)
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This one is, unfortunately, no longer available. But maybe it will inspire someone to create more burning jewelry for next year!
10 Responses to “Our Candles, Ourselves”
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I’m sorry, but it’s a little frightening that the burning ring chanukiah is sold out. Frankly, it’s a little frightening that:
(a) it was created at all.
(b) someone bought, and presumably, used it.
As I learn more about Halakha (rabbinic law)and minhag (custom), I understand that Hanukkiot (Hanukkah menorahs) are supposed to have flames arranged in a straight line, so that they are always individually separated and so that the Hanukkiah cannot be misconstrued as a Torchlight. One must look at the flames, and not have the flames be used as a tool to illuminate their surroundings. Therefore, the PC board Hanukkiah is nice – but not quite in line (pun intended) with tradition.
Lots can be said AGAINST the antler hanukkiah, and I’m from Michigan, even.
Fun story, Hadara. For several years I had led family workshops for making edible menorahs. What (messy) fun! Marshamallow creme and pnut butter make good glue for round cookies like oreos, marshmallows, pretzels…endless possibilities. A healthy version of a pineapple ring with half a banana standing in it, topped with a maraschino cherry held on with a toothpick. Good for a Hanukah breakfast even. The favorite in our house remains the classic and simple cupcake version – nine in a row with various icing and decoations, candles stuck right in. We often bake fresh ones each night since they also make a great dessert each night.
Even within the “parameters” of halacha there are many possibilities for design of a chanukiah. That got me thinking about chanukah from a candle’s point of view, not just in it’s candlish mind but also from its unique vantage in the chanukah. To wit, a poem-in-progress of eight parts (beginning with part 5) with chorus. This chanukiah has a shamash in the middle of 4X4:
EIGHT LIVES OF CHANUKIAH
a poem-in-progress by
Lieba-B. Ruth
Chorus:
Each day
I await the transference,
Hungry for one more glimpse to
Observe my potential
Growing brighter
The Source is confident and patient
At one point,
Shechechianu
V’kiemanu
V’higianu
I will Alight
L’azman hazeh.
Night 5: A Plateau in Time
My shamash keeps the peace.
Between Hillel and Shamai
With just one new light.
A gift of faith has settled the argument.
The question is lost.
Just this day
Just this night
From left or right
As much in the past as in the future.
Four before. Four after.
Still more and more becomes
Less and less
A plateau in time
© Lauren W. Deutsch
whole lotta hebraic hideosity going on here.
Can someone, without violating any journalistic ethics, tell me who the artist is who made that delightful frosted glass menorah. (Esty? is there a URL?) And where it can be viewed/purchased.
Adina and anyone else who might be interested, if you click on the word(s) in red in the descriptions of the menorahs–in the case of the frosted glass piece, it’s “Etsy”–you will get to the sites where they are available for purchase. Thanks for reading!
Merci pour ce post tr
Merci pour ce post tr