This past week I explored three Jerusalem neighborhoods during Chanukah.  On the third night of Chanukah I photographed  chanukiyot / menorot in the Nachlaot neighborhood which  is located between Agripas and Bezalel Streets.  It is one of the first  neighborhoods built outside the Old City and is located just south of the Machane Yehuda shuk.  On the sixth night of Chanukah I took pictures in  the Old City and on the eight night I photographed chanukiyot in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood.

I learned that not everyone has a Shamash "candle/oil cup", particularly when lighting the menorah outside the home. The reason for this is that Sephardim only use the shamash as a source of light whereas the chanuka lights are only to be looked at and not used as a source of light. Since one is lighting outside, one does not have any reason for a light source to be used for illumination. 

It was interesting to see many many people touring neighborhoods with their families to see the lit chanukiyot.  (Just as in the states people  tour neighborhoods to see xmas decorations). Many  people just put shot glasses in a row as a way of making a menorah.  I also saw that families in the Old City  put food near their menorah so that those who pass by can say a beracha.  

As we are about to say farewell to Chanukah in Seattle I wanted to post a sampling of chanukiyot and the streets and alleyways that I photographed in Jerusalem this past week.

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1 Comments

Dec 21, 2017, 8:11:09 AM

Leslie Saber - Beautiful and evocative photos Luci! Your night photos have such a wonderful sense of peace and beauty. Thanks for sharing the story and images. It feels like traveling back in time, yet also contemporary!
Shalom!

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