Wishing You A Very Happy Zot Chanukah!

After a very busy and festive week of Chanukah, I just had to share with you the lovely sight that is “zot Chanukah” namely the 8th night/day of the holiday. Tonight all 8 cups of oil were lit and we spent one last night gathered around the Chanukiah (menorah) singing and praying and eating a few little treats. My daughter fortunately decided to make latkes, which I didn’t have time for as I was working today, and that was a great traditional addition to our last Chanukah meal. I also gave my daughter the recipe for our favourite Moroccan semolina soup, which she made for the first time and it was delicious and a perfect winter evening dish! I took these photos to share with you as tonight is the height of the holiday and I dare say the most important day. The word “zot” means “this” so literally the name of the 8th night/day of Chanukah is THIS IS CHANUKAH, meaning that the last day is filled to the brim with the true essence of the holiday: light and hope!

So dear readers, wishing you all a light filled Chanukah, and may the light of our menorahs light up the darkest corners of the world, which is surely needed right about now. 

Ah, and I almost forgot, the menorah seen here has a very special story which I know I posted here a few years back but I can’t find it at the moment, sigh. I’ll try to find it, promise. In the mean time, keep on reading to see the large Chanukiah that we light when saying the blessings. (Though this brass one has a special place in my heart.)

If any of you are actually paying attention, yes it is true, the shamesh, the top candle is actually a wax candle while the rest are oil and wick lights, because we ran out of the tiny glass vials, or rather one broke, sigh. While all the 8 candles of the menorah do need to be the same, the shamash can certainly be different as far as I know, and that is what happened here!

Our beautiful silver Chanukiah with reflections in the living room window. This window looks over an ancient cemetery, so we always feel like we are lighting the Chanukiah for all the folks buried there……

Ah yes, the eighth night of Chanukah, nothing quite like it. Enjoy!