Maybe this year....

[ysobelle]

This may be my year to buy my own Channukiya. It's a weird thought-- I've never owned one of my own. It only occurred to me a year or two ago that I COULD buy my own. Don't ask me why. Hell, I bought my own Christmas tree a few years ago. How bizarre and backwards is that?

Comments

[dansr.livejournal.com]

WAIT...you don't have one???

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

Nope. I mean, I have the one I sort of inherited from my Grandma, but I want one I've chosen myself. Weirdly, I feel like if I don't light it when I'm with my family at their house, it doesn't count.

[dansr.livejournal.com]

I've several that were given to me by my parents, but I've never bought my own. I wanted to a few times, but I've never been compelled to since I love the ones that I have (I've a beautiful one in the shape of a lion).

You should definitely get yourself one, and know that it counts when you're alone or with friends or with family. My mom used to say "it doesn't matter about temple, as long as you know where you stand... in your heart"

Love you.

[hennabee.livejournal.com]

You know, every year around this time I see the Hannukah decorations go up and I get the biggest urge to buy a menor/channukiya (I had to go look the word up to make sure it was what I thought it was *hides face in embarassment*) and put it up on my mantleplace. Every year, even since I was little. I never have because that would be rather ignorant of me. I know the story but none of the traditions.
Still...I always stop and look for a loooooong time at them. Weird.

[danorsong.livejournal.com]

My friend has this one and I've always liked it..
http://www.menorah.com/catalog2/shopexd.asp?id=4143

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

I had to explain channukiya/menorahs (and, by extension, Chanukah) to Meg last year, while we were shopping, because she spotted them and wanted to know what they were. I LOVE any opportunity to introduce her to world religions. :)

I say choose one that really speaks to you. It's not quite the same thing, but I've been gifted over the years with Christmas decorations from my family, and although I value them for the family connection, the things I've chosen myself mean the most to me spiritually.

And I apologize for any mangled spellings I've managed to come up with. ;)

[42redmonkeys.livejournal.com]

Is that a candle holder? Sorry - Im the one in the corner with the broom...heh

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

See my answer below, sexypants.

[caitriona27.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm confused. I looked up the difference between the Channukiya and the menorah, but I've always called it a menorah. Am I wrong?? I think all of my Jewish friends even called it a menorah..

Help.. :whimper.

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

See, I always thought they were the same thing, too, but it was finally explained to me that no, technically, a menorah is a candleholder, but a Channukiya is a candleholder specifically for Channuka. So you can have a menorah that isn't a Channukiya, but you can't have a Channukiya that isn't a menorah. geddit?

And don't worry-- NO ONE will probably ever quiz you on this. But hey, if they do, you get the extra credit 10 points!

[caitriona27.livejournal.com]

I get it. and is it pronounced eeya or ia?? (like eeyore or I ah)

and 10 bonus points is better then nothing!

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

Eee-ah. Ha-nu-KEE-ah. And you know us-- there are probably four ways to spell it, too.

Gold star for youuu!

[caitriona27.livejournal.com]

Yep.. Add a C!!!

[regalpewter.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the enlightenment now I really have to get the pics of the ones we carry scanned and up on the site.
YIS,
WRI

[aryiana.livejournal.com]

Ok, when I first saw the content of your post I was going to volunteer to bring you one back from Israel (we are going for our yearly visit to the in-laws leaving this weekend). However, if I did that you wouldn't be there to pick it out.... soooo.... moot comment (about bringing you one back).

As for the Chanukkia/menorah difference - FWIW, a menorah is the one in synagogues with only 7 candles total (3 on each side and the middle one). Chanukkia's have 9 candles - 8 for the days of the holiday and the shamesh (or dirctely translated "Guard" because it guards over the other candles).

I'm lucky to have a local Moshe (my husband) who is our first line of information on all things Jewish. Besides having gone to a Yeshiva he is fluent in Hebrew (having lived in Israel from age 13-21).