Judaica is a category that includes articles, clothing, literature and icons that are related to the Jewish religion. The Jewish religion is a religion that has been around for several millennia, is the first recorded monotheistic faith, is based on the Torah- the five books of Moses and believes in living very much in this world while trying to bring G-d-liness into every aspect of life and with eyes focused on the eternal world to come.

As with many religions, there are writings, special clothing and objects used at different times in a Jewish person’s life and these are all called Judaica. Jewish people will often buy these products but there are also many non-Jewish people looking for a unique item or wanting to buy a gift for a Jewish friend who will also purchase such goods.

Why buy Judaica online?

Although there are Judaica stores in many larger Jewish communities, once upon a time for Jews living in more out-of-the-way places buying Judaica would mean a trip to a different town. Nowadays, the magical internet ensures that people all over the world can order Judaica from the comfort of their chair at home.

If I buy Judaica online, how do I know that it will be high-quality?

The above question is extremely common among hesitant buyers who are not used to buying online or are but have never purchased an expensive Judaica piece online. Indeed, this is a legitimate worry for any online buyers- you don’t want to order an object only to find out when it arrives that it is nowhere near what you thought it would be. There are several ways to ensure that the Judaica you buy online is high-quality…

Firstly, make sure that you use a well-known, large website.You can ask people you know or even your Rabbi for recommendations of trusty sites. In addition, if you don’t have who to ask, it is common knowledge that a large company will use their own domain name, accept a wide range of credit cards and their site will simply look professional.

It is advisable to purchase Judaica goods from Israel. Apart from the fact that by doing so you are boosting their industry, Israeli-made Judaica are usually much more reliable when it comes to matters of Kashrut. If it matters to you that your Judaica is acceptable religiously and doesn’t just look good then make sure to buy from products that are labeled as “Made in Israel”. There are many, many Judaica products made in China today and you do not want to spend a good deal of money on an object only to find out that it is a fake…

Never, ever buy from a site that doesn’t have a returns and refunds policy. If you are not satisfied with your product you need to know that you can send it back- it has got to be very annoying to invest in a product, discover when it arrives that it looks nothing like it looked on the website and then have nowhere to send it back to!

Cheaper is not always better. As mentioned before, a great deal of Judaica is made in China today and although this usually means cheaper prices it also often means cheaper quality. Always make sure to check where the product was made, whether I is kosher and if needed, if it has Rabbinic approval.

Always make sure to find out what the product is made out of. A company that doesn’t mention what the product is made from is worth steering far away from. As far as Judaica is concerned, sterling silver is often the best and most expensive, followed by silver plated pewter which is less expensive and much more common and porcelain.

Enjoy buying Judaica online but do it wisely!

The Jewish way of life is based on the teachings of the Torah- that Bible given by G-d to the Jewish people at Sinai a few millennia ago. The written teachings of the Bible, accompanied by the oral teachings of the Rabbis on the Bible are what Jewish people live their lives according to.

One of the laws relating to clothing in the Jewish way of life is the prohibition in the Torah against wearing clothes containing a mixture of wool and linen. The sages provided a number of reasons for this law with the author of the book “Sefer HaChinuch” suggesting that the combination of certain worldly materials can cause havoc in the spiritual realm.

Another explanation that is offered for this prohibition is that when Kain and Abel brought their offerings before G-d, one brought flax and the other a sheep and due to the lethal mixture Abel ended up losing his life.

In any event, Shatnez is recognized as a “Chok”- a Jewish law that Rabbis can offer suggestions for the reasoning behind it but in actually is a law that cannot be explained. Shatnez is still applicable today and therefore Jewish people will often send new clothing to be checked in special Shatnez laboratories so as to check that the clothing doesn’t contain the forbidden mixture.

Men’s Clothing, Women’s Clothing

In ancient times, both men and women would wear robes- with different robes made for men and women. There is a commandment in the Torah that states that a man must not wear woman’s garment and a woman may not wear a man’s. An explanation offered for this commandment by the author of Sefer HaChinuch is that this law is to prevent intermingling between the sexes leading to licentiousness. This law is still upheld by observant Jews- in such communities the women will never wear trousers and the men will not wear tight clothing (considered to be more “feminine”).

Head Covering

Observant Jewish men wear a head covering at all times during the day. This practice is actually a custom that became an accepted law due to the wide-spread acceptance of it. In earlier days only the very righteous would wear head-coverings to show awe of G-d Who is above them but nowadays every Jewish male from the age of three wears a head covering. The head covering is called Kippah in Hebrew and Yarmulke in Yiddish. It serves as a constant reminder of G-d’s Presence and is worn by men and not women because it is recognized in Judaism that men are more in need of external reminders of G-d as opposed to women who are spiritually on a higher level.

Ritual Fringes

Ritual Fringes is another garment worn exclusively by Jewish males and is based on a commandment in the Torah. The Jewish Sages interpreted the source to mean that from the age of three Jewish males must wear a garment under their clothes that has four corners and on each of the corners a set of fringes. These fringes act as a constant reminder of G-d’s Presence and every morning the Jewish male recites a blessing over them. This is a time-bound commandment- that can only be carried out in the day and women in Judaism are not obligated to uphold time-bound commandments so are not obligated in the wearing of the fringes that are known in Hebrew as Tzitzit.

Modesty

An important concept in Judaism is that of modesty- modesty as a way of life- including how one dresses, speaks and acts. After the sin in the Garden of Eden man and woman became aware of their being made up of physicality and spirituality (before-hand they were on a spiritual level whereby they only saw the other as a spiritual being) and as a result started to base the way they looked at each other on their external appearances. Ever since then mankind has covered themselves and Judaism sees great importance in dressing in a clean, tidy, beautiful way as befitting people of the King (G-d) but also believe that clothing should not be flashy in a way that would cause people to concentrate solely on external beauty.

“Way, way back many centuries ago, not long after the Bible began…”

So goes the song from “The Prince of Egypt” which is based on the Exodus. And indeed, at the end of the first book of the Bible, Genesis we read that Jacob travelled with his family to the area of Egypt so as to escape a famine in the Holy Land. Over the next couple of centuries, Jacob’s descendants become very numerous and enjoy a good standard of life. a new Pharaoh rose to power who heard from his star-gazers that there would be a Jewish boy who would lead a rebellion against Egypt. In response he enslaved the Hebrews and when he noticed that this wasn’t helping he decreed that all Jewish male babies be thrown into the river.

The Leader Moses

There was a Jewish baby born called Moses and in order to escape Pharaoh’s harsh decree his mother hid him in the river in a basket and appointed his older sister, Miriam to hide nearby and to make sure that nothing happens to him. Along came Pharaoh’s daughter walking by the river who spots Moses’ basket and discovers the little baby inside. She takes Moses back to the palace with her and there the Hebrew child is raised as an Egyptian prince.

Moses grows up and one day as he takes a walk outside he sees an Egyptian guard killing a Hebrew. Moses then kills the Egyptian and once word gets out of his actions he runs away to the desert in fear of his life. in the desert he comes across the family of the Midianite priest Jethro and takes his daughter as a wife. He shepherds Jethro’s flock and it happened that one day when out tending the flock he sees a burning bush and when he draws close to inspect the phenomenon, G-d’s voice calls out to him and tells him that he will be the one to lead His people out of Egypt, with his brother Aaron as his aide.

Let My People Go!

Moses approaches Pharaoh with G-d’s message that he must let the Hebrew go but Pharaoh refuses and as a result G-d brings ten plagues upon Egypt;

• Blood – All the waters in the country turn to blood. As a result all the fish die and the water is unfit for use.
• Frogs – Frogs swarm over the entire land.
• Lice – Lice attach themselves to the Egyptian people and property.
• Wild Animals – Wild animals attack the Egyptian people and homes.
• Pestilence – All the livestock in Egypt is struck by disease.
• Boils – Painful boils cover all of the Egyptian people’s bodies.
• Hail – Hail destroys all Egyptian crops.
• Locusts – Any remaining crops or food were eaten by swarms of locusts.
• Darkness – The entire land of Egypt is covered by darkness for three days.
• Death of the Firstborn – The firstborn in every Egyptian family dies, including the firstborns of Egyptian animals. The name of the festival- Passover- is actually derived from the tenth plague whereby the Angel of Death “passed over” Hebrew homes, sparing their firstborns.

Following the tenth plague a frantic Pharaoh lets the Hebrews go. The people were in the middle of making bread for the journey but were in such a rush to leave that their bread didn’t rise and they were left with unleavened bread which is why this is what Jews eat for all seven days of the festival.

Soon after he lets them go Pharaoh regrets his decision and sends his army after the people. As the Hebrews reach the Sea of Reeds, the Egyptian army closes in on them from behind. The waters of the sea split, allowing the Hebrews to pass through unharmed and the waters come crashing down on the Egyptian army. Once they crossed the sea the Hebrews began their forty year journey to the Holy Land.

Hope you enjoyed the story!
We, at Canaan-online will be happy to further assist you in shopping for passover gifts.

Hinges

Most brooches and lockets have hinges and some articulated charms will also feature them. The way that a hinge can made can provide information about when it was made. Whereas tube hinges were used until the later Victorian-era, after that time a sleeker version of the hinge was introduced.

Registration Marks

The discovery of a registration mark on a piece of jewelry is an exciting discovery as it is a fantastic way to date a piece of jewelry- it is almost as accurate as dating a piece by its hallmark.

Hallmarks

Hallmarks on vintage jewelry vary from country to country with British silver jewelry featuring a set of silver hallmarks, with different hallmarks from different time periods; the stamp .925; the words “silver” or “sterling”; complicated European hallmarks that have to be looked up in hallmark tables.

Clasps & Catches

Different types of catches, such as C catches, trombone catches, roll-over catches and safety-pin catches all provide clues as to the age of your jewelry. A lobster catch on your jewelry is an almost-sure sign that your jewelry is new.

Makers Marks & Labels

If a piece of jewelry features either a makers mark or label, the shape and style of them can help one date and value it.

What is it?

There are some pieces of jewelry that have been popular for centuries- such as brooches- whereas others such as watch chains, charm bracelets and dangly earrings have moved in and out of fashion. Depending on what the piece of jewelry is, one can get a better idea what time period(s) it could have come from.

What metal?

Jewelry can be made from a range of metals- pot metal, aluminum, platinum and copper and different materials have been popular at different times in history. Therefore, the metal that your jewelry is made from is also an indicator of the period it was made in.

Weight

The weight of a piece of jewelry can also be indicative of the time period it is from- for example, a Victorian brooch could very well be heavier than a brooch from Edwardian times.

Plastic

Plastic was introduced in the Victorian era and ever since then has been a popular material for costume jewelry. The type and color of plastic that you jewelry is made from can hint towards its age.

Colors

Different colors were popular in different time periods- just like today when different colors fall in and out of fashion.

Styles

The style of a jewelry piece will indicate the earliest possible time period that it can be from.

Check out Jewish Jewelry collection at Canaan-online.com.

Mezuzah

One of the oldest Jewish symbols is the Mezuzah. The Mezuzah is a piece of parchment that is inscribed with specific Jewish passages that is placed in a little oblong box and attached to the doorposts of Jewish homes. The Mezuzah is a commandment that has this source in the written Torah- in the Bible- and the details are found in the Oral Torah- the Oral tradition that is an inseparable part of Judaism. The Mezuzah is meant to act as a constant reminder of G-d’s presence and of his guarding over the members of the household.

Tzitzit

Another very old symbol is that of Tzitzit- ritual fringes that Jewish males wear due to a Biblical commandment to do so. In the Bible, the Jewish people are commanded to affix fringes to garments that have four corners -this was a common piece of clothing in certain times but today is not common so Jewish males have a special garment called a Tallit that they don in morning prayers and make a blessing over especially so as to fulfill this commandment. There is also a miniature version of the Tallit called Tzitzit that is worn by Jewish males from the age of three under their garments so that they can wear the ritual fringes on a daily basis at all hours of the day. The fringes are meant to remind the wearer of G-d’s Presence.

Menorah

The Menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that was used in the Temple. The priests would light the Menorah every evening. Although the seven-branched candelabrum is not in use today (until the Third Temple will be built there is no use for it) and in fact it is forbidden according to Jewish tradition to create a likeness of it too. Having said that, Jewish people in the Diaspora refer to the nine-branched candelabrum that is lit on the festival of Hanukkah (that is known in Israel as the Hannukiyah) as a Menorah too.

Magen David

The Magen David is undoubtedly the symbol that is most commonly associated with Judaism today but not many know that it has only been associated with Judaism for the past few centuries. It is a symbol that has been associated with a variety of religions over the years but it became associated with Judaism most strongly after it was adopted by the Zionist Movement as its emblem in 1897. The Star of David is boldly featured today on the official flag of Israel which is the homeland of the Jewish people and has thus become an exclusively Jewish and Zionist symbol, representing Jewish pride, tradition and love of their homeland.

Hai

The Hai symbol is actually a Hebrew word, made up of the two Hebrew letters, Het and Yud. The word Hai (pronounced “Hi”) means “life” in Hebrew and is the perfect representation of the Jewish love for life. it is common for Jewish people to donate to charity in multiples of eighteen, reflecting the Jewish belief that charity (along with prayer and repentance) are the way to ensure safety of one’s being.

From a Jewish perspective, when moving to a new home, it is indescribably important to ensure that the environment is one that is strong in Torah, that Jewish education is at a fine level and available locally, that kosher food is available, that there is a local mikvah and that the community is an active and supportive one. In the same way that one would have no interest in moving to a gorgeous house in the middle of the slums, so too one should not consider moving to a place that is spiritually the slums.

According to Jewish tradition, a change of location brings a change in luck and fortune. It is always appropriate to wish Jewish new home-owners a noticeable change in their luck (in Hebrew “Mazal”) due to their new home. Those moving house often want to know what us done in Judaism on occasion of moving house so we’ll provide some pointers.

First of all, when one establishes the home from the very beginning as one that has a Jewish identity, one makes the house a vessel for blessings. First and foremost, one should see to affixing Mezuzahs to the doorways of the home. One can find details on-line regarding how, when, why, where & what regarding affixing Mezuzahs.

In addition, there is an old Jewish custom of the first items being brought into a new home being bread and salt. The reason for this custom is unclear but it has been suggested that bread symbolizes, in being a staple of sustenance, prosperity and salt never decays and thereby symbolizes the permanence of the new home.

In addition to all your cartons that you’re bringing in to your home, make sure to bring some Jewish books and a charity box in too even before all the cartons are brought in. This is another great way of establishing the Jewish identity of the home where study and kindness will be a daily occurrence.

There is a belief that Tuesday is an ideal day for moving due to it being the only day during creation that G-d describes as “good” twice. According to Jewish mysticism, Mondays and Wednesdays are not such great days to make the move as on these days the Divine attribute of severity is particularly dominant.

There is a lovely custom whereby a group of young children will learn Torah in the house before the new owners officially move in. The study of Torah by these pure souls has a spiritually purifying effect.

Lastly, shortly after entering the house a Home Dedication party is held in which words of Torah are spoken and family and friends gather and bless the new home-owners.

What does the Bar/Bet Mitzvah celebrate?

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah milestone is a big event in Judaism. A Bar Mitzvah is the name used to refer to a boy who reaches the age of thirteen- at that age he becomes accountable for his actions and takes upon himself the yoke of all 613 commandments. It is also commonly used to describe the party celebrating this occasion. A Jewish girl becomes Bat Mitzvah when she reaches the age of twelve- yes Judaism does believe that girls mature earlier than boys. From here onwards we will just use the term Bar Mitzvah but we are referring to both boys and girls, both Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Is a Bar Mitzvah kind of like a Sweet Sixteen?

In some secular cultures, the Sweet Sixteen is a milestone age but Judaism’s milestone birthdays have a lot of meaning behind them- as stated before it is the age at which members of the religion become accountable for their actions and are regarded as mature members of the group. It has little to do with the Sweet Sixteen-type celebrations that seem to be an excuse for young teenagers to just get out and have a good time. Having said that, a lot of the Bar Mitzvah celebrations in recent years have become much more bombastic in certain parts of the world (read America) and sometimes it is hard to differentiate between them and other secular coming-of-age ceremonies.

The Gift makes it all worthwhile…

In any case, no matter where one is invited to a Bar Mitzvah in the world and no matter how modest or grandiose the party is, a common worry is what is an appropriate gift for such an occasion. For those who were lucky enough to celebrate their Bar Mitzvah they may remember it as an exciting time or even one that was slightly awkward, due to their reading from the Torah just when their voice is breaking. Gifts from guests are definitely a highlight for the tweens who may often seem uncomfortable to be thrust into the spotlight just as their bodies and minds are growing and changing form day to day.

Money…

You should know that money is always an appreciated gift. Young tweens are starting to become more independent and there is nothing quite as thrilling as having some of their own money to spend as they please. This is more of a gift that older people bring and not peers. Family members and close friends generally tend to bring larger amounts. If you’re unsure as to the standards in the community of the Bar Mitzvah boy ask around beforehand to get an idea of what is acceptable.

Bling…

Another great option is a piece of jewelry for a girl and a watch or something similar for a boy. Often the Bar Mitzvah will be the first time the tween will receive gifts of value and items such as jewelry and this is exciting for them and also provides them with pieces of jewelry that they can enjoy and wear for many years to come. Once again, check what is acceptable in the community of the kid who is celebrating and see what seems to be “in” in his/her circles.

Jewish stuff…

Pieces of Judaica are also a nice idea for Bar Mitzvahs- a beautifully-decorated charity box is a lovely idea because it is both pleasing to the eye and also reminds the tween of their new status in the Jewish people and their responsibilities that they have accepted upon themselves- charity-giving is a central aspect of Judaism. Other ideas include name necklaces that feature the kid’s Hebrew name, books on famous Jewish people or a gift related to the Jewish holiday that the kids’ Bar Mitzvah falls close to.

Know your customer…

Lastly, it always pays to try and find out what the particular kid you are buying a present for likes, what he is interested in and if he has any hobbies. That way you can buy something truly relevant that you know will be enjoyed and will not sit gathering dust on the bookshelf for many years to come…

1. Second-Hand Furniture is your new best friend

For many, furniture is something to be purchased bit by bit and not necessarily on entering a new place. In the meantime, second-hand furniture stores are a good bet- you can buy good pieces of second-hand furniture that just need a bit of a spruce-up, throw a piece of fabric over it until you have the money and time to deal with it and there you have it.

Make sure when buying second-hand furniture that you purchase well-made furniture- pieces that have simply become worn due to years of use and not cheaply-made bad-quality pieces. The well-made stuff can be brought back to life with a reupholstering job but badly-made stuff, such as pieces that you can feel the timber through the fabric, should be steered clear of.

2. Dramatic Drapes and Charming Curtains

A good use of curtains can turn windows into light-scapes that illuminate the room. Sheer and semi-transparent drapes will capture and bounce natural light creating lovely effects. In addition to adding privacy to your home, the curtains and drapes can be updated when there is more money available by adding details such as tails, frills, etc.

Sheers of silk, organdy and cotton can add shine while textured sheers will add some detail to an otherwise bare room. A window dressed in sheers will also infuse the room with a sense of liveliness when the blowing wind creates a billowing effect.

3. Express Yourself via your Walls

There is no need to dish out money on expensive wall décor when you can create your own with a little imagination. Enlarged photos and inexpensive frames can create a charming collection of family photos. Architectural pieces from yard sales and thrift stores can be cleverly re-purposed in order to decorate bare walls.

It is well worth searching the internet for DIY wall art and you will find an astonishing collection of cheap, attractive and you-would-never-believe-it-wasn’t-bought wall art.

 4. Shelf it and Cut the Clutter!

There is seriously no point in decorating your house beautifully if you live in a pigsty. Shelves are cheap and reduce chaos- invest in some simple shelving and bring instant calm into the house environment.

In the case of those who love to collect dust-collectors slash figurines it is worthwhile buying glass-fronted cabinets- that way they are displayed nicely, cuts down on the dusting and keeps them out of harm’s way.

 5. Gain a room

A big room can be divided into small spaces with the use of the under-utilized screens. Lightweight dividers such as slatted and meshed screens will keep the airiness of the room intact while making sure not to entirely obscure the other side of the room.

Once again, the screens can be customized by painting or stenciling them, adding a flair of creativity and infusing your furniture with your personality.

6. Embrace Color!

Be daring and use colors that will brighten up your rooms- plainer furniture in a boldly-painted room will look just fine and the strong color will easily take center-stage.  Whip that color wheel out and figure out which coordinating hues and tints you want in your abode.

Additionally, paint can be used cleverly in order to fool the eye. Low-ceilinged rooms can be made to feel less claustrophobic by playing with visual illusions. Vertical stripes automatically draws the eyes up and fool the viewer into seeing a higher ceiling than there really is. Bold stripes should be used with caution and only by those who are quite sure of their color sense so as not to end up feeling like one is living in a circus tent.

Don’t miss our Home Decor items at Canaan-online.com!

We’d like to suggest some gifts that are suitable for a Jewish wedding- each culture has its own norms and to be honest each Jewish community also does. Whereas in some parts of the world it is considered acceptable to give a gift of one’s choice, in others a gift from the registry is considered appropriate whereas in others still, a sum of money is the most appreciated gift. In any case, there are a number of Jewish Wedding Gifts that are appreciated world- over and we’ll tell you about them along with a short explanation where necessary.

Judaica

A popular choice is always a gift that is Judaism-orientated. For a couple that are going to be setting up a Jewish home, a Judaica item will always be appreciated. Here are some ideas;

• Shabbat Candlesticks
  

The woman of the house ushers in the Sabbath day by lighting two candles.
Do check before making such a purchase that the couple’s family has not bought candles already. If you know that no-one has done so and there are none being passed down as a family heirloom and you can splash out a bit, a pair of Shabbat candlesticks is a beautiful present that will be appreciated every week when they are lit.

• Mezuzah

Jewish people have oblong boxes, containing inscribed parchment hanging on their doorposts called Mezuzahs.  A Mezuzah can be a relatively cheap or expensive gift, depending on how much you want to invest. There are gorgeous Mezuzahs that don’t cost an awful lot so for guests on a budget it’s a great gift too. It’s nice to think that your gift will be seen every day on one of their doorposts, helping them to fulfill a Biblical commandment and adding beauty to the house at the same time…

Art

There are infinite numbers of Jewish and Israeli artists on the scene
nowadays and a meaningful piece of art that your friends can hang in their new home is a lovely way to brighten up their abode and add some color to their life! Obviously, one is not limited to only Jewish and Israeli art but there is something nice about supporting a Jewish or Israeli brother while buying a wedding gift.  A popular piece of art for a newly-married couple is the Blessing for the Home which contains blessings for the couple and the house they are to build together.

Something Different…

There are also plenty of quirkier or more original gifts that you can invest in such as book-ends for bookworm couples; artistic wine-holders for wine-lovers; wall-hangings for a special piece of art; a gorgeous clock; a Lazy Susan or Napkin Rings for those who love to host, etc.

Check out our Jewish Wedding Gifts section at Canaan-online.com

• It is interesting to note that the war of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire was the first ever ideological war in the world! In their merit the Hasmonean dynasty was founded which ruled between 164 and 63 BCE and reasserted the Jewish religion after years of persecution.

• If we’re already on the subject of the Maccabees; this rebel army was not made of seasoned warriors who were trained for warfare- rather it was a thrown-together band of academic, pious men who were simply driven by their beliefs.

• This was also the first war to be fought on roads as opposed to organized battlefields. The Maccabees used stealth warfare to attack their enemies and until this day the caves that they hid in and attacked from can be visited close to the city of Bet Shemesh in Israel.

• Many celebrate this holiday without actually knowing why they’re celebrating it! In fact, after the Maccabees defeated the Seleucids, they rushed to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. Included in this rededication was the lighting of the primary candelabrum and in order to do so, they needed a sealed flask of oil that had a seal of the High
  Priest still intact. This was no simple demand considering the shameful state of the defiled Temple but they managed to find one and this little flask kept the wicks burning for a miraculous eight days. Many of the traditions of Hanukkah are based on this miracle, including lighting a personal candelabrum and eating oily foods.

• Two miracles occurred in the Temple- the first was that they found
  sealed, intact flaks of oil and the second is that the oil lasted for an amazing eight days!

• The game of Dreidel that is associated with Hanukkah involves a spinning top with four sides. On each of the four sides is a different Hebrew letter and each letter dictates a different action. This game originated, according to Jewish tradition, during the time of the Maccabees when Jewish people would hide and study Torah, which was forbidden by the Seleucid Empire. When Greek soldiers would come searching for those disobeying the laws, the students would hide their books, pull out spinning tops and make it seem that they were enjoying a gambling game.

• The minimal way to observe the tradition of lighting a Menorah on Hanukkah is lighting a single candle every night of the holiday in each household. However, the Jewish people wish to beautify the tradition and took upon themselves to light eight one more candle each night, until by the eighth night one has a fully-lit Menorah with eight candles.

• There is a strong communal aspect to the holiday of Hanukkah which can be felt from the laws of the holiday. Some examples of laws that express this communal spirit are;

1. If one only has the exact number of candles needed for lighting on all eight days of Hanukkah and he finds out that his friend has no candles it is better for him to share what he has with his friend even when that means that he will not have what to light in the last few days of the festival.
2. One needs to light the Menorah in a place where it can be seen by others and at a time of night when someone can hear you recite the blessings and others are still around to see the candles.

• The original Menorah in the Temple was made of a single block of gold. Modern Israeli artists and scientists attempted to create a Menorah of solid gold and the result is an incredible Menorah that stands in the old city of Jerusalem and was reportedly coated in gold instantaneously using electricity.