The importance and beauty of janukia
Have you ever wondered how suitable your Chanukiah is?
Our Hanukkah must be in the best and most beautiful condition possible to be used! "New or Refurbished"
Surely you would not use an ugly, dirty or torn Chanukah for this important precept!
Let's see what our Sages say:
Clay vessels are not suitable for use as Chanukah, as they cannot be restored to a new state. However, glass or metal vessels can be used. Although they may not look new, they can always be polished and made to look like new.
The same applies to us: if we believe we can always change and turn over a new leaf, the Creator's Light will shine upon us always, no matter how old we are. But when we give up hope of starting over, when we give it up because we are "too old," the Creator's Light cannot shine upon us, no matter how young we are!
Some of the important laws of Hanukkah:
The Chanukiah should always look like new, however, it is permissible to light the candles in a Chanukiah that does not look new (as long as it is clean and in excellent condition), but a clay Chanukiah should not be used, because after being used it will never look like new again.
The Hanukkah candle should be placed in its proper place before lighting its candles, not vice versa. If possible, Hanukkah candles should be placed no higher than 10 palms from the ground, and should be placed next to the entrance door, on the left side opposite the mezuzah.
The ideal place to light candles is outside the front door of our home.
If for some reason this isn't possible, they can be lit in front of a window. If this isn't possible either, they should at least be lit on a table.
It is preferable to use olive oil for Hanukkah lights instead of candles, since the miracle was performed with oil.
Hanukkah lights should be lit at dusk or nightfall. The candles should be long enough, or the oil abundant enough, to remain lit for at least half an hour after nightfall.
If they are turned off before this minimum time, it is not necessary to turn them back on.
Each night, an additional candle is lit for the new day (thus commemorating the miracle).
No use should be made of the light produced by Hanukkah candles.
The light from Hanukkah candles should not be used for any personal benefit.
And remember, renew yourself, it is forbidden to be old!
(If you want to understand more about this concept "Being old is forbidden - Renew yourself" we leave you the link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4036827586328689&id=819289448082535
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