Chapter 28: HANNUKAH
God's Little Drop of Water
If you’ve just discovered this (Hi!), begin with Chapter 1 HERE.
New chapters every Saturday morning @ 9:09 a.m. EST. Yay!
In addition to the excitement of Taliya’s birthday, a month later, Hanukkah arrived. The December weather had grown cold, but Taliya adored Hanukkah. She loved celebrating the Miracle of Light, the miracle of the tiny pot of oil which lasted for eight days and eight nights. The levivot and sufganiyot were delicious foods. Levivot were fried potato pancakes. Sufganiyot were donuts filled with jam. They were often sprinkled with powdered sugar as well. They were available in virtually every grocery store, bakery, and coffee shop. But Taliya most adored accompanying Abba to the bakery and buying a big box of sufganiyot when they were fresh and had just been made, and were still warm.
There was excitement and celebration at school, as well. Gal and all the students and many parents shared in a wonderful celebration. Taliya and the other children donned golden crowns in the shape of a pot of oil. They sang and they danced and they lit candles on the hanukkiah. And they ate many sufganiyot.
Each night for eight nights, the family gathered around their hanukkiah. The little candles were orange and blue and red and yellow and white. Ima placed the hanukkiah in the center of a large casserole dish, so that the melting wax would not drip on the table cloth, nor would there be a risk of fire.
Abba placed his shiny white satin kippah upon his head and read the blessing:
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Ima and Abba gave Taliya and each of her brothers a small goodie-bag, inside of which was candy and chocolate, all sweet things in order to have a sweet holiday, including the famed and beloved golden chocolate coins Taliya adored. There was also a dreidel in each bag, known in Hebrew as a sevivon, and Taliya and her brothers immediately set about spinning the tops on the floor, to see who could make their sevivon spin the longest.
Hanukkah also provided a welcomed break from school. This added to the festive atmosphere. It also allowed families to spend time at home together (which Taliya enjoyed very much) or to travel. Taliya and her family drove up north to the Golan Heights, where there was snow. (Taliya made certain that Yair had his inhaler before they left the apartment.) They spent the afternoon playing in the snow and throwing snowballs before heading home, exhausted from all the fun.
One day during the holiday, Taliya walked several blocks by herself to a small store which sold religious and spiritual items. They also sold Christmas trees. Taliya had seen Gabby and Debby talk about Christmas on their television show. They even had their own Christmas tree which they decorated with lights and ornaments. Taliya loved the cute little tree decorated with sparkly lights, and had decided to get one for herself.
She therefore removed her Gogo money from its hiding place in her desk, walked to the religious store, and found the perfect little Christmas tree. It was made of plastic, of course, but that was perfect, because it meant the precious tree would last forever. And, it was only 40 shekels, leaving Taliya with plenty of money to save.
Taliya walked home, proudly carrying her beloved Christmas tree, her new little friend, and was indifferent to the stares and odd looks she received from passersby.
When she arrived home, she placed the little tree on her desk, close to her bed, where she could have it close to her while she slept.
Read next chapter:
