where do you go online to buy a menorah

[OnederWoman]

We'd like to get a menorah, but have no idea where to buy one from. We found a Dreidel at Barnes & Nobel, but have had no luck at all finding a menorah. I read one site that said everyone in the family should have their own menorah? If this is the case I definately need to find something affordable (but still nice).

Thanks

 

[Rabbi Cohen]

BS"D

Try one of my favorite sites -> MileChai.com/judaica/menorahs.html
They also can be found at terrific bargains on eBay.

Kol Tuv,
R.Cohen

 

[yod]

or get one from Israel for about the same price

http://www.galileeexperience.com/

 

[Henaynei]

We'd like to get a menorah, but have no idea where to buy one from. We found a Dreidel at Barnes & Nobel, but have had no luck at all finding a menorah. I read one site that said everyone in the family should have their own menorah? If this is the case I definately need to find something affordable (but still nice).

Thanks

Shalom,

The first thing you need to know before you buy is this:
Is it a menorah or a khanukia you are looking for?

Why is this important and what is the difference?

Menorah - various stylized representations or replicas of the 7-branched candelabra. This is the quintessential representation of Israel, Judaism and the Jewish people. Usually it is kept as an ornament and not lit (although this varies - ah....Judaism!)

Khanukia (just add "ia" to what ever spelling of the Festival of Dedication/Lights you prefer) - this is used only during Khanuka. It can come in what ever for the artist conceives, but two things remain consistant: it always has eight places for candles or oil wicks PLUS a ninth one that is set apart - that can mean higher, in front back, in back, lower - whatever.

Far too often, even jewish people confuse or don't know the difference between the two. So, if you did not, now you do

 

[OnederWoman]

So, if you did not, now you do

I didn't, so thanks!!!

So... can I just make my own Hanukkaia?

I thought about going to Hobby Lobby and getting some stuff to set one up.

 

[Matrona]

Shalom,

The first thing you need to know before you buy is this:
Is it a menorah or a khanukia you are looking for?

Why is this important and what is the difference?

I know I didn't ask the original question, but thank you for posting this! I was at a synagogue recently (for the first time, ever) for a lecture related to my studies, and noticed the menorahs were seven-branched. I was only familiar with what you call khanukias for Chanukah (sp?) and wondered why they had seven lights instead of the nine for the eight days of Chanukah plus one. I guessed that what I thought were menorahs must be related to the eight days of the Festival of Lights and the seven-branched menorahs must be for something else. Well, you learn something new every day, dontcha?

 

[Henaynei]

I didn't, so thanks!!!

So... can I just make my own Hanukkaia?

I thought about going to Hobby Lobby and getting some stuff to set one up.

Sure you can!! Jewish school children around the world do every year and Jewish artisans make buquo money making new designs every year. Just remember the halakic requirements:

1) must be 8 places for the oil or candles, plus one set apart in some fashion for the Shamesh/servant candle.

2) the places must each hold either candles that will burn for more than 30 minutes - i.e. the standard Khanuka candles you can buy in your grocery store in the kosher/jewish section; or enough oil to burn that long. Burning for more than an hour is not recommended for it is forbidden to do any work by the light of the candles - they are to be enjoyed and reminders to us to dwell on the events they commemorate.

Also of note:

The shamesh candle is the first one placed in the khanukia each night.

The other candles are placed in from right to left, but are lit from left to right (that is, the newest one first). The shamesh candle is ALWAYS lit first, every night, and used to light the other candles, in the manner mentioned above.

The first night is the shamesh and one candle, the second night the shamesh and two candles, etc. The principle is that we increase the light in the world.

The candles are lit AFTER sunset - EXCEPT ON SHABBAT when they are lit before the Shabbat candles are lit.

The khanukia is generally placed in a front facing window of the house (but away from drafts that might blow the flames out) so that it can clearly be seen from the street

The Blessings:

On the first night of Khanuka, Friday December 19, 2003, recite all three blessings, on all subsequent nights, recite blessings number 1 and 2.(Remember, that night is erev Shabbat and the candles must be lit BEFORE the Shabbat candles)

1.Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

(1).Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Kha-nu-kah.

2.Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

(2).Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-a-sa Ni-sim La-avo-te-nu Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Bi-z'man Ha-zeh.

3.Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

(3).Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

 

[OnederWoman]

Thanks so much Henaynei...

I went to Hobby Lobby and got some stuff and made my own! I just bought some candles there, but I'll check to see if they have any hanukkah candles that are the right size (though I think these will last at least 30 minutes for sure. Question... do you put new candles in each night? or do you use the same candles over, so the first nights candle will be shorter than the second nights candle and so on?).

We don't have a front window that is big enough to set a hanukkiah in, but maybe I will but it on a trunk that is visible from the entryway. (if someone came to the door they'd see the lights inside).

So on the lighting... let me get this straight... you first light the servant candle... then you light the candle that is farthest right. The second night you light the servant candle first then the candle second from the right and then the one furthest to the right and so on each night. ?