Hanukiah (Hanukah menorah)
Light in the Darkness (Hanukah menorah); hand-carved walnut, cast glass, sterling silver; 10" x 6" x 1 1/2", photographed by Doug Yaple, 2009; permanent collection The Jewish Museum NY
Clouds (Hanukah menorah); sterling silver, vellum, acrylic, 20 1/2" x 12" x 9 1/2", 2005
Hope (Hanukah menorah for Ruby); sterling silver, 8" x 6" x 2"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Hope (Hanukah menorah for Ruby); sterling silver, 8" x 6" x 2"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Hope (Hanukah menorah for Ruby); sterling silver, 8" x 6" x 2"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Hope (Hanukah menorah for Ruby); sterling silver, 8" x 6" x 2"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Circus (Hanukah menorah for Aviv); sterling silver, bronze, enamel paint, 15" x 9" x 5"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Circus (Hanukah menorah for Aviv); sterling silver, bronze, enamel paint, 15" x 9" x 5"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Circus (Hanukah menorah for Aviv); sterling silver, bronze, enamel paint, 15" x 9" x 5"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
Circus (Hanukah menorah for Aviv); sterling silver, bronze, enamel paint, 15" x 9" x 5"; photographed by Doug Yaple, 2017
There are many unique ritual objects used for specific Jewish holidays. The most recognizable to those outside of Judaism is the Hanukah menorah, or Hanukiah. Hanukah, also known as The Festival of Lights, commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks in 164 B.C.E. The story tells us that the Jews found only enough ritual oil in the desecrated Temple to light the Temple menorah (a seven-branched candelabra) for one day, but, miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days allowing enough time to make more oil. Hanukiot (plural for Hanukiah) have nine candles, one for each of the eight days of Hanukah, and a ninth candle, the shamash, that is used to light the others.