Etz-Ron Wooden Judaica Gift Items

Etz-Ron Newsletter
Kislev, 2007

Happy Hanukkah!

Etz-Ron Wooden Dreidels"

Hanukkah Early This Year!

The first night of Hanukkah is the 4th of December, a mere 12 days after Thankgiving!

Hanukkah Rules

The Talmud tells us that beginning with the 25th day of the month of Kislev eight days of Hanukkah are observed, during which time no eulogies are delivered, nor is fasting permitted.

The eight days of Hanukkah signify the miracle when the Maccabees discovered just one jar of oil in the Temple, yet it burned for eight days. One year later the Rabbis designated these days as Yomim Tovim (Good Holidays) on which praise and thanksgiving were to be said. We light eight candles of the Menorah to commemorate these eight days of Hanukkah. On the first day, one candle, the second two and so on...

An extra candle, the shamash, is used to light the candles on the Menorah. The shamash may only be used to light the other candles and one may derive benefit from its light. The Hanukkah lights themselves may not be used for any other purpose while they are burning for the observance of the mitzvah.

Hanukkah Menorahs by Etz-Ron

In the Talmud it mentions the miracle of the cruse of oil as the reason for celebrating Hanukkah. Have you ever lit a real oil lamp for

Etz-Ron Lion Menorah

Hanukkah? In addition to the longer lasting flame, if you use olive oil, there is even a olivey fragrance in the air .

The Etz-Ron Lion Menorah, pictured left, is made to be used solely w/ oil (except the "shamash"). With the mirror behind the oil lamps, the reflecting lamp light gives a cozy glow.

A simpler, but no less elegant menorah, is the Etz-Ron Mosaic Strip Menorah featuring Etz-Ron's signature Mosaic on both sides, and

Etz-Ron Travel Hanukkah Menorah

with fold-in leg stands, for easy storing when Hanukkah ends.

And this Hanukah there is a new style of anodised aluminum Travel Hanukkah Menorah inside it's very own Etz-Ron box!

Origins of Jewish Gambling?

During the Second Temple period, the Greek kings outlawed the Jewish religion, forbidding the Jewish people to engage in the study of Torah and the practice of mitzvot. To counter this prohibition the Dreidel game was invented, a simple gambling game which was a common and legal activity at the time and used to conceal the studying of Torah whenever an official or inspector was within sight. It is traditional to observe the days of Hanukah by spinning the Dreidel and gambling with chocolate coins, a common gift to children at Hanukah.

Dreidels for Playing, Collecting, and Beyond

Etz-Ron has a wide variety of

Etz-Ron Silver & Wood Mosaic Dreidel"

dreidels, in a wide variety of sizes, most with Etz-Ron's signature mosaic wood mosaics. Check out the Etz-Ron Wood & Silver Dreidel, left, featuring a silver spinner and wood mosiacs in a variety of different base woods. All of Etz- Ron's Dreidels are

Etz-Ron Wood & Brass Mosaic Dreidels in ebony

great for collectors, for playing, for display. Buy yours now!

Song and Connection

The lyrics of the traditional Hanukkah tune Ma’Oz Tzur date back to approximately the 13th. century C.E. It is believed they were written by a man named Mordechai, because that name is encrypted in the first letters of the five stanzas of the song. Most people are only familiar with the first stanza. The origin of the music to Ma’Oz Tzur is not known. It is believed to have been composed some time between the 15th and 18th centuries by an unknown composer.

Hanukkah is the only holiday in the Jewish calendar which spans, and hence connects, two months – Kislev and Tevet. The name Kislev derives from the Hebrew word for ‘security’ and ‘trust’. The miracle of Hanukah reflects the trust of the Maccabim to stand up and fight against the Hellenist empire and its culture.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Hanukkah!
Best,

Amy Gilron

Phone:Toll-free U.S.A. 1-888-217-1216
Fax (U.S.A.) 1 - 206 - 339 - 5343
Website:http://www.etz-ron.com