Falling behind faster

[nightdog_barks]

Last night was the last night of Hanukkah, so here's a pic of our menorah from the night before!




Yes, that's the Alcove of Honor in our house, tucked in amongst the CDs, the boombox, pruning shears, and an open package of paper napkins. Plus the bits of colored wax from the previous nights' candles, which no one swept off the platter (it would've been me because Mister Nightdog, who is the only actual Jewish person in the house, doesn't care). I used all white candles for this night's pic. The alcove is also where we light the (two) Sabbath candles every Friday night (not in a menorah), so that's where the candles live. And that's about it. Mister N doesn't keep kosher, and sometimes he doesn't observe all the (major) holidays, but hey. My country, 'tis of thee. *g*



Anyway, that's our menorah. I think it's brushed aluminum, and it has a really nice weight to it. I like it a lot -- a whole lot more than the one we had before, which was this little dinky thing with the candle-holders way too close together, so it was an absolute bitch to get the shammas candle in and out.

Need to order Christmas stuff for the friends and family who get Christmas stuff. Need to send out holiday cards. Still have not decided about a tree. Sigh.

Was deeply, seriously underwhelmed by the Doctor Who season finale. :-(

Comments

[silverjackal]

Every nation has people guilty of not appreciating their native wildlife, but Australia seems to be particularly vocal about it. Granted, much of their native fauna can kill humans, but the principal remains.

Did you see that the hummingbird menorah also comes in a patina brass? Truthfully I've never paid much attention to menorah designs apart from admiring various ones in the homes of friends, but I can now identify my mother's menorah as an "Antique Jerusalem" one, just on a small scale. Hers is from Israel, so I'm sure the person who gave it to her (I'm not sure who that was) actually brought it back as a souvenir for gifting. "Next year, in Jerusalem" yes? :) I don't know how thoroughly you perused their website, but I thought you'd also really like the twitter bird menorah. It reminds me of a New Kingdom Egyptian papyrus that shows a similar scene of various brilliant bird species.

[nightdog_barks]

Oh, the birds are gorgeous! :D

And I kept meaning to say the other day (and it kept slipping my mind) ... if you really like some of those menorahs, you should buy one. To me, at least, there's a great difference between appropriation and appreciation, and I think if one treats an object with respect for its artistic qualities and workmanship, no harm is done. For instance, I like this 19th-century Russian icon, depicting Our Lady of the Sign. I think it's a lovely portrayal of mystery and wonder, and the way the artist used red to bring the figure forward is really nicely done. I'm not Russian/Eastern Orthodox, but I would have no hesitation in setting it in a prime place on our mantel. The same with this small 18th-century brass plaque showing the Nativity of Christ. Or a little statue of Lord Ganesha, or the Lord Buddha, or Saint Francis for the garden. As long as an object that may be considered sacred to others is treated with respect, it's all good.

And besides, I asked Mister N if he, as a Jew, would consider it appropriation if a non-Jew were to purchase a menorah or a shofar or a tallis or whatever, because they appreciated the artistry/workmanship of the object, and he said no. So there you have it. AN AUTHORITATIVE RULING FROM A JEWISH GUY RAISED REFORM IN THE AMERICAN MIDWEST. :DDD

[silverjackal]

Thank you to yourself (and Mr. Nightdog) for thinking of me in this regard. I still feel like it would be appropriation in my particular case because I use every candle holder I have in the house, and so for me it would cross the line into being inappropriate (as opposed to someone purchasing one from sheer appreciation of its' beauty).