by Jennifer Vensel

Created on: December 20, 2011   Last Updated: January 17, 2012

His dazzling mother leaned over to light the first candle of Hanukkah. She looked at him and smiled and they said the three blessings together. He understood what Hanukkah meant now that he was older. He understood when they gave thanks and praise to Hashem for setting them apart from others as sacred with the commandments. He understood the praise also to Hashem for the miracles that Hashem had performed for the Jewish people’s ancient ancestors, and also for keeping him and his family prosperous and alive for another year. They made it another year to the wonderful celebration. He understood now a little more.

He wondered if he could find a menorah as wonderful as his grandmother’s silver one that would burn olive oil the way his ancestors had done to start the whole tradition when the Jewish people won the battle with the Syrians. He loved the idea that they thought they only had enough olive oil to create light for one day, but by a miracle the oil burned for eight total days thus giving the holiday its long lasting festival time.

He was grateful for the gelt that he had received from both his parents and grandparents. He already had in mind what he was going to spend it on, but he was genuinely happy that they were together and everyone was happy.   

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