‘Tiz the Season ~

I believe this SNOW got me in the Spirit of the Season ~ still need more SPIRIT…

The other day I changed out old candles for new. That was sorta the beginning I think.

We have these candelabras that had belonged to my in-laws I always liked them. I always wondered why they had them, since they appear to be a set of Menorah’s. It is to late to ask why they had them, bottom line I like the look of them and they grace our dining room. Everyday as I pass them I remember little things about my in-laws. *********************** Sooooooooooooo seeing the new candles etc started me thinking… *********** Uncle Henry might have liked this post… So here’s to family that celebrates different holidays ~~~ you are still in our hearts and minds. ************** One picture is of replicating the first night of Chanukah the other is how we traditionally use ours. ************************************************************ Since Chanukah is first here is some neat information [Dec. 5 - Dec. 12, 2007]

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Blessing the Chanukah Lights:

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Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukah.

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Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose mitzvot we are sanctified and who commands us to kindle the lights of Hanukah

******* ***Special Note from a friend of mine:

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“When we are not praying, we use the term Adoshem instead of Adenoi to denote the difference between prayer and reading a prayer. Adenoi means G-d which Jewish people don't spell out in ordinary writing.”

Often Menorah A ceremonial seven-branched candelabrum of the Jewish Temple symbolizing the seven days of the Creation.

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A menorah has seven candles, and is said to represent "the bush that burned, but was not consumed," seen by Moses in the wilderness. The seven candles represent the seven days of creation. The menorah was a ceremonial object found in the ancient Holy Temple.

********* The traditional Hanukkah "menorah," more properly called a hanukiah or chanukkiyah, has nine candles, representing the 8 days the oil for the temple menorah miraculously lasted (when there was really only enough oil to last for one day). The ninth, called the shamash (and found either in the center or on one end), is used to light the other eight. Jewish law says that the eight candles should not be used as a source of light but rather only to commemorate the miracle, so the ninth is there to supplement the others.

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Here is a little account of the Birth of this Holiday and its celebration. It also tells about the "Magic" of Hanukkah. Read below and enjoy.

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The holiday originated when Judah the Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the temple in the village of Modi'in from Syrian King Antiochus IV. The temple was cleansed and prepared for rededication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication." When the sacred temple Menorah (candelabra) was relit, there was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day. Yet, according to tradition, the oil miraculously lasted eight days until more purified oil could be found.

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A lesser-known story from the Apocrypha tells of the beautiful widow Judith who plied enemy Assyrian General Holofernes with cheese and wine until he fell into a drunken stupor. Judith beheaded the general in his sleep, and his soldiers fled in fear, thus saving her people from the Assyrians. This story is the subject of much renowned artwork.

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In remembrance, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Children receive gifts of gelt (in remembrance of the coins minted by the new independent Maccabee state) or money and play games of dreidel (a spinning four-sided top.) The tradition of receiving a gift on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is fairly recent. Since Christians exchange gifts at Christmas, Jews have come to exchange gifts other than coins at Hanukkah, which comes at the same time of the year.

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Symbolic FoodsThe traditional foods consumed during the Hanukkah holiday are symbolic of the events being celebrated. Most are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Others contain cheese to celebrate Judith's victory. Loukoumades are deep-fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar to represent the cakes the Maccabees ate, along with Soofganiyot (also Sufganiyot) and zelebi. Pancakes are a traditional dish, serving as a reminder of the food hurriedly prepared for the Maccabees as they went into battle, along with the oil they are fried in as a reminder of the miraculous oil.

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Latkes were originally symbolic of the cheesecakes served by the widow Judith, and later evolved to the potato/vegetable fried latkes most known today. Many cheese and dairy dishes are consumed in memory of brave Judith.

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A newer tradition in the United States is the baking of butter cookies or pretzels in the shape of Hanukkah symbols while relating the stories. Children delight in helping and learn as they create, too.

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~Potato Latkes~

6 to 8 medium potatoes - peeled, grated & drained well

3 eggs

1 medium onion, chopped or grated

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

4 Tbsp matzo meal

shortening or vegetable oil for frying

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Beat eggs then mix in the grated potatoes (use grater, coarse side), chopped onion, salt, pepper, and matzo meal. Drain remaining liquid. Heat shortening in a fry pan, medium fire. Drop in the mixture by 1 or 2 tablespoonfuls. Flatten. Fry on both sides, adding more shortening as needed. Flip often until well done, with a browned, crispy surface. Serve hot. Top with applesauce and/or sour cream.

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Sfganiyout - Chanukah Jelly Doughnuts~

2 pkgs. yeast

1/3 c. sugar

3/4 c. water

1/4 c. orange juice

1/3 c. margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

4 or 5 cups. flour

3 egg yolks

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Mix water, sugar, juice, and yeast. Let stand 10 minutes. Melt margarine and add to yeast mix. Beat in eggs and salt. Add flour, mixing by hand to form a soft dough. Let rise 1 1/2 hours. *Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and cut circles (approximately 2 inches). Let circles rise 1/2 hour. Deep fry at 400 degrees about 3 minutes, turning once. Pipe in jelly and roll in sugar.

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General information on candles:

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Trim wicks to ¼" before burning and keep wicks trimmed to ¼" at all times, during your burning session.

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How to test for lead in wicks:

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There is an easy way to test whether or not a candle is using a lead core wick. Take a normal piece of white paper to the candle store with you. Rub the paper on the tip of an un-burnt candle’s wick. If it leaves a light gray pencil-like mark, it is using a lead core.

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For removing candle wax please see Stain Removal Guide

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Historians place the use of candles back to ancient times when the people of Crete and Egypt burned a form of candles to provide artificial light during darkness and for all forms of major celebrations. Basically it is fair to say that humans have been burning candles since someone figured out how to transform animal fat into tallow that would burn

*************************** For many centuries, candles were considered expensive items in Europe. Beginning with the sixteenth century, however, living standards improved and candles could be found in ordinary households. Candles were usually sold by the pound and in bundles of eight, ten, or twelve candles. Everyday candles were made of animal fat (tallow), usually from sheep or cows. Typically, these candles were a dark yellowish color and it is presumed that they gave off an unpleasant smell.

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I thought this was really interesting: Michel Eugène Chevreul

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A chemist named Michel Eugene Chevreul made an important discovery. He realized that tallow was not one substance but a composition of two fatty acids, stearic acid and oleic acid, combined with glycerine to form a neutral, non-flammable material. By removing the glycerine from the tallow mixture, Chevreul invented a new substance called "stearine." Stearine (also called "stearin") was harder than tallow and burned brighter and longer. This led to the development of better candles.

Ha HA then there is Candling. A method used in embryology to study the growth and development of an embryo inside an egg. The method uses a bright light source behind the egg to show details through the shell, and is so called because the original sources of light used were candles. The technique of using light to examine eggs is used in the egg industry to assess the patency of edible eggs.

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If you got through all of this post I will be surprised ;)

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Twas a long one...

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Oh Well!

Lastly I found this interesting site:

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A Candle Clock and MORE interesting STUFF!