TEMPLE MENORAH & CHANUKIAH: Hanukah

Temple Menorah

by Mariano Shulman, 2001, Argentina

Menorah Mosaic, Kehillat Israel, Pacific Palisades, CA

Chanukiyot Gazing, cover photo by Joy Krauthammer ©

Personal Chanukah story by Joy Krauthammer
http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/458684/jewish/Light.htm

Thoughts on the Temple Menorah & the Chanukah Menorah

Teaching: Reb Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen
Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Reb Yosef, zt"l, niftar 27 Elul 5771.
Hazon-Our Universal Vision

"I see and behold - there is a menorah made entirely of gold with its bowl on its top; its seven lamps are upon it, and there are seven ducts for each of the lamps on its top. There are two olive trees over it, one at the right of the bowl and one on its left. I spoke up and said to the angel who was speaking to me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was speaking to me answered, and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord!” He answered and said to me, stating: “This is the word of the Compassionate One to Zerubabel, saying: ‘Not through the might of arms and not through physical strength, but through My spirit, said the Compassionate One, God of all the hosts of creation.’ ” (Zechariah 4:2-6)

The oil from the olives enables the Menorah to give light, and this light represents the light of the Divine Teaching, as it is written, “Torah is light” (Proverbs 6:23). In the above prophecy, the Prophet is told to convey the following message regarding the power of this light: Not through the might of arms and not through physical strength, but through My spirit, said the Compassionate One, God of all the hosts of creation.
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(Parshat Terumah) Exodus 25:31-40

Instructions for the construction of the Temple Menorah:

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof; 33 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof.

35 And a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of one piece with it; the whole of it one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven; and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall it be made, with all these vessels. 40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which is being shown thee in the mount.

Ceramic CHANUKIAH
Art and photo by Joy Krauthammer ©

Ceramic CHANUKIAH glazing
"Hanerot Hallalu Kodesh Hem"
Menorah art by Joy Krauthammer ©

Menorahs filled Mogen Dovid

Star created by Joy Krauthammer

photos by Joy Krauthammer

Happy Chanukah collage

Chanukah BlesSings

May the blesSings of Chanukah light illuminate all your days.

Happy Chanukah

Chag Sameach

Hanerot Halalu Kodesh Hem ~ These Lights Are Holy

Eight Lights and Nights of Chanukah

May you bless our universe with the illumination of YOUR soul’s light.
© Joy Krauthammer

Oil Chanukiah

MENORAH TORAH

ChArt, photos © Joy Krauthammer

MENORAH TORAH

ChArt, photos © Joy Krauthammer

In 5762, years ago while I was Caregiver Angel Warrior, I sketched the Temple Menorah and filled the large art poster-sized paper with lots of teachings on Menorah.

A challenge for me was getting the lights to point toward the center lamp.

In retrospect, I think the challenge for me was to be the best Light-filled caregiver

and to understand the Light, thus I immersed myself in the teachings.

See image. © Joy Krauthammer

Details: http://templemenorah.blogspot.com

Aharon is instructed, “When you kindle the lamps, towards the center of the Menora shall the seven lamps cast light” (Bamidbar 8:2). The center lamp, to which all of the other branches face, represents the light of Torah.

Menorah ChArt Art
photos © Joy Krauthammer

Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt"l
photo by Joy Krauthammer ©

8th Night of Chanukah
© Joy Krauthammer

First candle with sister

2nd Candle

Chanukah 8 Nights

8th night

3rd night

4th Candle and blue tree lights, Chabad

HAPPY THANKSGIVUKKAH
Once in our life time 2013
© Joy Krauthammer

Happy Chanukah
The Pluralistic Princess is in the Field
© Joy Krauthammer

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Secrets of the Menorah
with Joy

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G*d's Holiest # 7
American Jewish University, Sunday, Dec. 11
310-440-1246

Contact Joy Krauthammer: FaceBook or write personally.

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HAPPY CHANUKAH

How are you shining your shamash light for a brighter world?

With what blesSings do you shine your light?

Who is a Shamash in your life?
What miracles have you witnessed today?

May you continue to bless our universe with the illumination of YOUR soul’s light.

Sharing your light never decreases your flame and always increases it.

One little candle can light the way to illuminate and brighten others. It all begins with one -- with me, with you, with us. All together may we brighten, enlighten, care, share and love. At this dark time of year -- may we shine and shower each other with love and hopes for peace and serenity.

Sharing many blesSings with YOU.

Love, Joy

HAPPY CHANUKAH You Tube 1:35

by Joy Krauthammer, Joy to the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckGPO9i8xtE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

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I'm excited that Rav Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin shares his Chanukah teaching with us:

Posting:
http://ish-tam.com/blog/2010/11/29/the-miracle-of-hanukah/

Gift for us all:
http://www.berahamimlehayyim.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HanukahGifts2.pdf

Direct link to PDF:

http://ish-tam.com/rav_drizin/Hanukah.pdf
Rav Rahmiel Hayyim was happily at Happy Minyan, Shabbat Vayishash, Dec. 31.

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King Solomon, Shlomo HaMelech wrote in Mishlei (The Book of Proverbs 6:23) , "Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Or." Mitzvos are lamps and Torah is light. "Ner Hashem, Nishmat Adam". The Soul of the human being is the lamp of Hashem. (Proverbs 20:27) 

"Ki Imecha Mekor Haim Be'orecha Nireh Or." By Your Light shall we see light. (King David's Tehillim/Psalm 36:10)

Above--Jewish light quotes I love, & below--a thought from one of my teachers, and my thoughts.  

"The physical lights we ignite during the Festival of Chanukah are a manifestation of the spiritual light we try to light within ourselves and the radiance of our souls, through seeking to do G*d's Will, and pierces the long night of Galus.   May we all merit a Chanukah full of light of Torah and mitzvos and enjoy the beauty of the lamps with renewed dedication to bring close the day when the true Light of Creation will fill the earth with a brilliance and clarity we have waited for almost 2,000 years.  Wishing you a Happy, Brilliant Chanukah"

- Michael Rosenberg of Torah.org's bikkur cholim: A site where you can request prayers. 

“  Allow the light that we hold within ourselves to be shared and light our universe shining forth to the darkest corners, even to those dark spots within our own hearts & souls.” 

- Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z'l, in the name of The Ba'al Shem Tov, said shared light increases and never diminishes.

 We, like the Temple's miracle oil, if ever feeling "defiled" can "rededicate" ourselves with light.  Meditate & gaze upon flames or imagine them at any time, and be connected to the Divine One & to the holiness within you.  Imagine yourself as a flame, or as the shamash. According to our Sephirot, in the illumination we receive in the image of The Divine One, we have the light of: wisdom, knowledge, compassion / lovingkindness, justice, beauty, endurance, gratitude, joy / passion and peace.  

What are the lights in our own lives that offer blessing and warmth?  What are the sparks that move us forward, pushing us to go beyond our comfort zone and do more?   May we be blessed with a light-filled Chanukah. Chanukah Same'ach 

One love, shalom and abundant blesSings of harmony,  wholeness, health and joy to you, 

- Joy Krauthammer

"Serve G*d With Joy"

"The Divine One is The Source of Joy. To be joyous is to be connected with the Source – one who is connected to the Source IS joyous!" -Reb Sholom Brodt

Rav Shulim,  please pray the menorah flames stay lit.

HAPPY CHANUKAH

Chanukah Dreidles

MENORAH

Joy's Blogs for Workshops and bands

G*D's HOLIEST # 7

TEMPLE MENORAH
SEPHIR AT HA OMER
Simchat Chochmah
SOUNDS OF JOY
www.timbrelsofjoy.blogspot.com
www.joys-music.blogspot.com
JOY SHAKERS
MIRIYAHM HA NEVIAH
Serve G-d With Joy
The KINDRED SPIRITS
OPEN TO WONDER BAND
http://kabbalisticclasseswithjoy.blogspot.com

http://joyous-chai-lights-nov-dec2011.blogspot.com/
www.joyous-chai-lights-dec-2010.blogspot.com
www.joyous-chai-lights-nov-2010.blogspot.com

Menorah, Mall

I feel especially good seeing the Menorah lit in my neighborhood large mall because in 1981 I went to the local major Mall management and told them that I wanted a large Menorah at the mall. There were many red and green decorations for other faiths for customers to appreciate but nothing visible for the Jewish faith and Chanukah was at the same season. Management said to me to get a group behind my personal request. That was easy because I was on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Center.

Through Rabbi Joshua Gordon, obm, Director of Valley Chabads, I arranged for Chabad to build the large menorah for greater community to enjoy. (Now in 2016 that was about 35 years ago.) Rabbis come and light each night. Choirs come and sing. The Menorah is also visible if you look up to the 2nd story from the main mall.

A menorah still stands and that is good. Amayn.

By 1980 I first arranged for the local Veteran's Administration Medical Center to build a large menorah, the first time the VA ever had a menorah on their grounds, the then Chaplain, Rabbi Joseph Elsant, obm, joyously wrote to me. The Menorah stood in front of the main entrance. - Joy Krauthammer

Menorah Tree of Life

Stained glass by David and Michelle Pachte-Zuieback

Lopaty Chapel, Valley Beth Shalom

Chanukah

Flame Names by Joy Krauthammer

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Rav Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin

offers teachings, a sefer, on CHANUKAH

Gift for us all:
http://www.berahamimlehayyim.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HanukahGifts2.pdf

http://ish-tam.com/blog/2013/11/22/chanukkah-5774/

http://ish-tam.com/rav_drizin/EightDaysPDF.pdf

My favorite Chanukah excerpts are on HOD.

The Sages themselves demarcate Hanukah for Hod-ing, thanksgiving.

page 7.

According to most mystical commentaries, Hanukah correlates with Hod/thanksgiving.11

11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w98wlMByPM

Hanukah relates to the middah (concept/attribute) of Hod, which besides Thanksgiving also connotes light or brightness – it represents a unique inner shining quality that an entity has. [Rav Hirsch to Daniel 10:8] Usually people look at something — whether it is people or pieces of knowledge — and they glance at its basic outer layer. However, there are usually deeper layers of significance that the sweep on an eye doesn’t catch. People are very complex and unique; factual information can have deeper implications and meaning. This concept of Hod/deeper essence was a big part of the battle between the Jews and their enemies in the story of Hanukah.

footnote 12: Hod = 15, the sum of all numbers from 1 to 5. Hod expresses and reflects all the five emotions of the heart from Chesed to Hod. The Holy Zohar describes "Binah [the "mother" of the emotions of the heart] extends until Hod."

What is this “Hod”?
Hod, as described by Rabbi Yitzchok Ginsburgh, is associated in the soul with the power to continually advance, with the determination and perseverance born of deep inner commitment, toward the realization of one's life goals. The acknowledgment of a supreme purpose in life, and the total submission of self which it inspires, serve to endow the source of one's inspiration with an aura of splendor and majesty. Hence the word Hod connotes both "acknowledgment" (hoda'ah) and "splendor," in the sense of an aura-like "reverberation" (hed) of light.

The hoda'ah aspect of Hod also manifests itself as the power to express gratitude (thus qualifying it as a sefirotic response to chesed), as well as the power of "confession" (vidui).
Spiritual vision is associated with the sefirah of Hod. This is particularly important in that the appellation "Jew" (Yehudi), comes from the name of the tribe of Judah (Yehudah), whose word-root is Hod. Hod represents a number of attributes in the soul--"praise" and "thanksgiving" (hodaya), "acknowledgment" (hoda'ah), "confession" (vidui) and "glory" (Hod)--all having the word Hod as their root. The common characteristic to them all is the consciousness of surrendering to a higher Divine power in the world and the soul. This property is similar to that of selflessness and making oneself "small": "for you were the fewest of peoples."

The word “vidui” or confession stems from the same root as hoda’ah, which can mean either confession or thanks. This is not mere coincidence; both words are in essence the same. Hoda’ah is at the core an act of acquiescing to another person, bending the “I” to “you.” Thus, when a person owes someone money, he may admit to this fact (hoda’at ba’al din), declaring that the money that is purportedly his is actually the other person’s. When someone gives me a gift or renders me a service, I thank him (modeh, todah). The thanks are an acknowledgement that “my” object is actually “yours”, and I did not acquire it because of my productivity and industry. Likewise, when I confess (modeh, vidui, hoda’ah), I am making a statement of acknowledgement, acquiescence, and submission to G-d. I have wronged You: “Lecha Hashem hatzedakah velanu boshet hapanim – To You, O G-d, belongs charity, while we are shamefaced.”

Hanukah celebrates the Tikkun of Hod – ו . On the basis of this, the Rebbe of Slonim asks an unusual question. Hod – ו is the eighth of the Sefirot, counting down from the first Keter. This represents the very lowest, distressed level of spirit that existed during the Greek occupation of Eretz Yisra’el.

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MORE
http://templemenorah.blogspot.com

Joy Krauthammer in a state of HOD/gratitude, always,

not only on Chanukah and Thanksgiving,

and loves to play for others

her crystal and Tibetan singing bowls.

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TEMPLE MENORAH

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King Solomon, Shlomo HaMelech wrote in Mishlei (The Book of Proverbs 6:23) , "Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Or." Mitzvos are lamps and Torah is light. "Ner Hashem, Nishmat Adam". The Soul of the human being is the lamp of Hashem. (Proverbs 20:27)

Hanukah's HOD by Rav Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin

About Me

Blog Archive

TEMPLE MENORAH

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King Solomon, Shlomo HaMelech wrote in Mishlei (The Book of Proverbs 6:23) , "Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Or." Mitzvos are lamps and Torah is light. "Ner Hashem, Nishmat Adam". The Soul of the human being is the lamp of Hashem. (Proverbs 20:27)

Hanukah's HOD by Rav Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin

About Me

Blog Archive

King Solomon, Shlomo HaMelech wrote in Mishlei (The Book of Proverbs 6:23) , "Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Or." Mitzvos are lamps and Torah is light. "Ner Hashem, Nishmat Adam". The Soul of the human being is the lamp of Hashem. (Proverbs 20:27) 