WAR. SWORDS OF IRON. 62 days. 07.12.2023 – THURSDAY.

 THE FIRST LIGHT OF CHANUKAH

We light the first candle of Chanukah tonight in two different “Chanukiot”. One for us, and one for the Hostages who cannot celebrate the holiday; for the soldiers who are in the middle of a battle, and for the evacuees who might want to light their own family candlesticks but cannot do so. 

1st Light

Willie and I light these candles with prayers that will continue for eight nights, “God please help us return our hearts and minds, our emotions and life, focused on you. Help us to put You as the Lord of our lives, to ensure that You are our center. When we allow You to be God in our hearts, we pray Your prayers and they will be answered; We will see Your miracles and will experience Your love and our hearts' desires will come to pass. God, please celebrate this miracle of Chanuka each day this year, so the hostages will return well and healthy, and that peace will return to this land. For your Glory and Honor, I pray in Yeshua's Name, Amen.

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Chanukah's Table

The picture: “Chanukah's Table” shows traditional items which are part of this holiday.

the Israelis have two candelabras: The Menorah and The Chanukia. The Menorah is the symbol of Israel, you'll see it in front of the Knesset building in Jerusalem. It has 7 candle sticks. The Chanukia is specially lit in the Chanukah feast while celebrating the miracle of the oil for the eternal fire that enables the priests to re-dedicate and sanctify the Temple. The candles are the modern version of the olive oil that used to burn in the Temple Menorah.

The Oil Jar – is to remind us of the oil that miraculously lasted 8 days for the Eternal Flame in the Temple's re-dedication.

Sevivon or dreidel which children play with, has 4 letters written on it. These letters tell the story of “Nes Gadol Haya Po”, a big miracle that happened here.

Sufganiot – or donuts – is one of the traditional foods. Any food dipped in oil is accepted. Like the “levivot” - Israeli potato pancakes (not in the picture)

Another traditional item is the chocolate coins. Ours already parted with us. Kids from the next building came with pictures they drew for us as gifts for the festival, so we gave the coins to them. We'll buy them some other gifts tomorrow. I forgot to do that earlier.

I also placed a bronze medal on the table. Never done that before. This medal was given to me after I walked from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem for four days while participating in an IDF march, which became a tradition in later years.

 On one side is written: For the builders every one had his sword girded by his side. (Nehemiah 4:18). 

On the other side, it is written: Peace be within thy walls. (Psalms 22:7). Today, I felt it belongs on the table with Chanuka symbols and the hope of Israel for living in peace in our land.