TOUR OF HANUKIOT IN THE JEWISH QUARTER
& AT JAFFA GATE ON THE EIGHTH NIGHT OF HANUKA
Sunday, 5 December 2021
The eighth day encapsulates the essence of the entire holiday of Hanuka and is known as "Zot Hanuka" -- "This is Hanuka."
However, the name Zot Hanuka has a second, deeper meaning. Eight is a central number is Jewish life, representing the concept that man has the ability to transcend his nature. Eight symbolizes the power of the soul to contact light and emit light. Hanukah, the festival of light, is celebrated by lighting a hanukia on Hanuka -- akin to the seven-branched menora during Temple times. As Hanukah is a celebration of miracles, the eighth day, the day beyond the natural week, encompasses the miraculous essence of this holiday.
However, the name Zot Hanuka has a second, deeper meaning. Eight is a central number is Jewish life, representing the concept that man has the ability to transcend his nature. Eight symbolizes the power of the soul to contact light and emit light. Hanukah, the festival of light, is celebrated by lighting a hanukia on Hanuka -- akin to the seven-branched menora during Temple times. As Hanukah is a celebration of miracles, the eighth day, the day beyond the natural week, encompasses the miraculous essence of this holiday.
I took my camera and my smart-phone with camera on a tour of the hanukiot on the eighth night.
Before I left the house, I started to photograph:
Before I left the house, I started to photograph:
I walked down to my courtyard and saw this hanukia
with row above row of candles for each member of the household
with row above row of candles for each member of the household
I turned left at Habad Street to photograph these lovely hanukiot
I continued to my right, towards the Cardo steps, and saw this series of hanukiot on a step-platform
I continued down Habad Street, with hanukiot illuminating most entrance-ways
and walked down the steps to Rehov HaYehudim,
where I saw this hanukia on a shelf above the Cardo
where I saw this hanukia on a shelf above the Cardo
I made my way to Shonei Halachot Street
where many outstanding hanukiot are displayed
and on my way I saw these hanukiot
where many outstanding hanukiot are displayed
and on my way I saw these hanukiot
I reached Shonei Halachot Street, much of which is a tunneled alley
Just beyond this group of people
on the other side of the table on the left
where tens of hanukiot where waiting to be lit
this huge hanukia stood
on the other side of the table on the left
where tens of hanukiot where waiting to be lit
this huge hanukia stood
At the bottom ot Shonei Halachot, I turned right, onto Misgav Ladach Street
and these lovely hanukiot stood outside homes.
The Hebew words carved into the metal roof of this hanukia-box say
(translated to English) "these lights are sacred"
The Hebew words carved into the metal roof of this hanukia-box say
(translated to English) "these lights are sacred"
A few steps past the lions at the top of the stairs leading to the Kotel
this hanukia stood in a niche cut into the thick stone wall of the home to my right
this hanukia stood in a niche cut into the thick stone wall of the home to my right
I continued on, towards Kikar Machse (a.k.a Rothschild Square)
and saw more hanukiot on my way
and saw more hanukiot on my way
I walked down Rehov HaHatzotzarot, a short, narrow alley
leading from Rothschild Square to the parking lot and bus stop
leading from Rothschild Square to the parking lot and bus stop
and took the #2 mini-bus to Zahal Square, since I wanted to photograph this electric hanukia
in front of the Old City walls
in front of the Old City walls
and then I walked along the Old City walls towards Jaffa Gate
and from Jaffa Gate, I walked through the alleys of the market, and up the steps towards my home
where the hanukiot were still burning.
where the hanukiot were still burning.