Festival of Lights

I'm happy to see you, you're my friend or so goes a rough translation for the song Hene Ma Tov:

Hene ma tov uma nagim
Shevet atjim gam yajad
Hene ma tov uma nagim
Shevet atjim gam yajad

Which isn't really even a Hanukkah song but after considering some options, I returned to this one of my favorite Jewish songs partly because it stands up so well when put through the down home strolling ostinato fingerpicking filter.

Sheri led off the singing and I edited down a several minute improvised version of the piece to fit the length of the video, filmed on the 8th and final night of Hanukkah 2006.

Notice the middle candle and its location slightly elevated and in the middle of the others. This candle is called the shamash meaning guide or servant and is a reminder that the light from the candles should only be used for publicizing and meditating on the Hanukkah story - a celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem through the story of the 1 day worth of oil that lasted 8 days.

For a more thorough description of the history of this holiday:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

Dave Knott
071211

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Hanukkah
• Menora
• Jewish
• Hebrew
• Song
• story
• time-elapsed
• community
• Video
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• Wisdom

[TriciaAgnew]

The words mean "How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity".

[s0niac]

@TriciaAgnew

Thanks so much for the translation!

[arual1969]

WHAT MEANS 9CANDLES of MENORAH?

[s0niac]

I'm no Jewish scholar but I believe they represent the nights the oil lasted when the Macabees defended the Temple.

[bogen1050]

I'm a Christian and have Jewish friends and I go over to his house for Hannukka and i really enjoy it.

I'm actually considering changing my religion / faith.

I respect other peoples beliefs and religion and that means a lot to me and my friend.

xxx

[poppydoo1]

go jews !

[MMGFaroff]

Umn dont want to upset you but contemporary Israelis have very little real relationship to the Biblical Jews. Research a little more. i d recommend a book called "The Invention of the Jewish people". Its not as aggressive as the title suggests and clears up a lot of misunderstandings that both Jewish and non-Jewish people have about the history of Judaism. But I like your sentiments and hope we can all pray and act towards peace not only in Israel but worldwide.

[EstrellaOlmos]

@kd5tmu I my self believe in things that may not exist but where there is actually "Proof." They are called aliens. And in your case that may sound silly until you actually do enough research and watch enough documentaries to be able to believe their might actually be another life form in the universe. So you are never free but I believe that to what extent of free is that there is more time on my hands, and I don't have to obey a man that kills people. So there you have it. :)) PARt 2

[EstrellaOlmos]

@kd5tmu I agree with that statement, but as in free I mean I don't have to waste my time on some silly fake man who tortured, raped, and killed people. You of course are never free no matter what but what doesn't exist is a magical man that can grant your wishes. PARt 1

[mnhzmazingrace]

TO: adamkratt and your "family"...On behalf of millions of people who are classified as Christians and who love Israel and pray for her; I would like to repent before you for horrific crimes committed against your people ... throughout history in the name of “Christianity.” We have sinned against G-d and against you.

[mnhzmazingrace]

~continued~ We have not lived according to the mandate give to us by the scriptures’ to love G-d with all of our hearts, and to love our fellow man as we love ourselves. May G-d Grant you the ability to forgive us and may we be brothers and sisters again.

[mnhzmazingrace]

~continued~ For we owe you much. Through you G-d gave us the Torah, the Prophets and the Books of Wisdom and the revelation of the one true G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is because of the truth of the Holy Scriptures that we have a heritage a destiny, a hope and a compass for living. Millions of us want to bless you and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

[vhndyman]

Lm

[Allie653]

@EstrellaOlmos sorry about you being an atheist, this is sad for you, you have nothing to believe in. (Not being rude) I just feel sad for you. I hope the Living G-d opens your heart to Him.

[Allie653]

@arual1969 The center candle represents the Living G-d, The Light of the world.