On day 2 we discussed the "miracle of the oil" which is why we celebrate Hanukkah for eight days. If you missed days one and/or two, I'd recommend that you catch up by visiting those first.
Here's another of the menorahs in my DD's mother-in-law's collection. Notice how each of the candle holders is shaped like an oil flask? Also notice how even though it is the third night, there's actually four lit candles!
Today, the most prominent and well-known symbol of Hanukkah is the menorah. As you may have noticed, menorahs come in various shapes and sizes. The one I posted tonight is very old and it mimics the ancient menorahs by having the candle holders shaped like the ancient oil lamps. Modern menorahs come in all sorts of styles including sports themes. The Hebrew word menorah means "lamp" and it comes from the root word "ora" for light. (Fun fact: my DGD born on the last night of Hanukkah is named Nora!) To celebrate the miracle of the oil, we commemorate the occasion by lighting the menorah every night for eight nights. In ancient times, they used oil to light the menorah; today we use candles (or electricity where flames are not allowed) but in some Orthodox homes they may still use oil. This is why another name for Hanukkah is the "Festival of Lights".
As I pointed out (and you also may have noticed) there's actually an additional candle in the menorah every night, at a slightly higher elevation. The menorah used for Hanukkah has eight spots for candles — one for each night — AND an extra ninth spot that is at a different elevation and usually in the center. This ninth spot is for the shamash, or "helper" candle, that is used to light the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and one other candle which is placed in the right-most spot. Each night, another candle is added so that on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles (the shamash plus eight others) are lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left because Hebrew is written and read from right to left! Hanukkah candles are lit after sundown, when it is dark; the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is then used to light the others. The tradition is to place the menorah on a windowsill so it is visible to others and to share the miracle of Hanukkah. In communities with a significant Jewish population, large menorahs are displayed and lit in public places.
It is considered a "mitzvah", or a good deed to light the menorah and so it is encouraged that everyone in the family, including children, light the menorah. Here is my DD's family the first night of Hanukkah with all their lit menorahs. (Nora is the one on the far left!)
So, since Hanukkah is also the Festival of Lights, your challenge for the third day of Hanukkah is to include LIGHT in your layout. Your light can be from any source - birthday candles, Christmas tree lights, the sun - as long as it is emitting light it qualifies!
Here is mine - 2 of my DGDs showing off their super cool sunglasses.
Now the boring stuff for Hanukkah Day 3.
1) You must include LIGHT in your layout
2) You may combine with one other monthly challenge that permits it, but you may NOT submit the same layout for 2 different Hanukkah challenges.
3) Only one submission, per person, per challenge.
4) Entries must be new single or double page layouts and may be digital or paper. Cards are permitted for this challenge.
5) Entries for HANUKKAH DAY THREE - LIGHT CHALLENGE must be posted to this thread by 1/31/25 at midnight.
6) MOST IMPORTANT: I hope that you learn something and that you HAVE FUN!
