At this time of year, at nightfall, Jerusalem is covered with lights. The menorahs placed in the windows of the houses are joined by Christmas lights in the YMCA building and the Old City, ornate street lamps, as well as the small lights that decorate many balconies in student apartments in Rehavia and Nachlaot.
Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel disagreed on how the Hanukkah candles should be lit. An appraiser claimed that all the candles should be lit first and a candle should be removed every day. This determination was based, among other things, on the custom of Sukkot, in which one less bull was sacrificed each day. Beit Hillel claimed the exact opposite: one candle should be lit first and a candle added on each of the holidays, since one does not lower in holiness but only raises in it. This is the accepted assertion and so it is customary in all The houses in Israel. The rising light symbolizes the greatness of a jug miracle The oil, however, also has a deeper aspect to it: Hanukkah candles represent the victory of light over darkness, and the inevitable end of winter. As mentioned, it is customary to place the menorahs in the window of the house and some place them in special glass boxes at the gate of the house facing the street, thus publicizing the miracle. On days like theirs, we are used to gathering around the light of the menorah, eating and singing songs. This year, Hanukkah will surely be a little different. In a time of social alienation and uncertainty about the future it is more important than ever to shed light.
The eight menorahs (or Hanukkah lamps) displayed in the virtual exhibition "Small Lights" are just an example of the wide variety of shapes and decorations that appear on menorahs in Jewish culture in general and in Jewish-Italian culture in particular. Among them are some particularly surprising examples. We invite you to find out why they set a clock on the body of one menorah, and why they designed another menorah in the shape of the City Hall of Florence, and how it all relates to Jerusalem.
Curator: Daniel Niv
Design and graphics: Shifi Rathaus
Click on the menorahs to find out more about them.
In this stage, when the sun shines, Gerusalemme divides herself into luci. Alle Hannukiot poste nelle finestre delle case accompanied by the Alberi Lucia in the YMCA Garden and in the Città Vecchia.
The street lamps are decorated as well as the fiammelle who allegrano the student aspirations to Rehavia and Nahlaot. Nel cuore dell'inverno gerosolimitano, dai giorni corti e dalle notti lunghe, Gerusalemme splende di luci preziose.
Shammai's School and Hillel's School have a variety of opinions regarding the action of Hannuka's people. Shammai's school is said to have initiated the litigation of all and sundry people one day. This instruction is based on the other part of the proclamation of the Feast of Sukkot, where many days come and a sacrifice is made. Hillel's school supports the opposite: start with a single light and act one day for the duration of the party to elevate and not decrease health. This practice is accepted and endorsed in all of Israel's cases. The most brilliant light is a symbol of the greatness of the miracle of the oil lamp and also of a more profound aspect: the lights of Hannuka represents the trio of light on darkness and the inevitable finesse of innovation.
In conclusion, is consummated by the hannukiot in the finestre of the abitations, especially protet of a showcase at the entrance of the house across the street, to promulgate to pass the miracle. In these days, if you raccogliersi intorno alla luce della hannukia, con cibo e canti. This year the party will be a different one. During this period of social distance and uncertainty about the future, become still most important is the bright light.
Le otto hannukiot post in this virtual show “I piccoli lumi” are just examples of the variety of forms and styles of hannukiot in the Hebrew culture and especially in the Italian Hebrew culture. These are some surprising examples. We invite you to browse the region of the Orology Insert in a hannukiah, or a model on a palace of Florence, or body with Jerusalem.
Click on the icon of the hannukia for other details.
