Two moved out and ten moved in. The ten were the Tratnor family and shortly a new baby made it eleven. We were somewhat friendly with Sy and Faye, the original two, but the Tratnor household invited a warmer welcoming friendship. The parents wanted their children to experience a relationship with the elderly Ben and I, both nonagenarians certainly qualified. The first holiday of their presence on the block was Hanukah, Festival of Lights. The Tratnor large dining room window directly faced our house across the street. Their window framed a scene of the candle and oil lit menorahs. The parents ignited the sterling silver oil lamps; each child lit their own more humble menorah. Every night of the 8 days of Hanukah a new candle or oil was lit and enriched the scene, A menorah is a 9 branched lamp. One of the nine candles ignites the others night by night. The origin of this event symbolizes the oil in the temple that was supposed to only last one day but instead burned for 8 days, representing the triumph of light over darkness. A household is expected to publicly display the lit menorahs in their front window to signify a Jewish home and publicize the 8-day miracle.
Last winter much to our delight, the Tratnors invited my visiting grandchild, Ben and me to join in the holiday celebration. We each lit a candle with the Tratnors assisting us in saying the Hebrew prayer. The room took on a soft warm flickering radiance as the numerous candles and lights joined the scene. All the flames had a powerful psychological effect creating a feeling of coziness, serenity and intimacy.
The lighting was followed by a treat of jelly donuts. Pastries deep fried in oil help to commemorate the miracle of the 8-day oil burning in the temple. Potato latkes, also deep fried are a usual dish.
This Hanukah, once again the neighbors invited us to their home for candle lighting, but snow and ice made the walk treacherous for Ben and me. This did not alter the invitation. Instead of joining them across the street, five members of the Tratnor family came to us, bringing menorahs, candles and jelly donuts . Since this was the third night of Hanukah, three burning yellow flames adorned each menorah. We needed these small flames to push back the darkness of all the overwhelming grief reported in the recent news. My humble house took on a magical beauty. On this cold ,snowy wintery night, the room was blessed with the warmth of the many beautiful burning candles and the affection, kindliness and warmth of my neighbors’ company .
Ethyl Haber
No comments:
Post a Comment