Page 140 - HANUKIYA

explanation is that a double- THE MIX
e, symbol of both the
garian and Russian Empires, SBnoaakredon
hanukiah was crafted there
demonstrated the loyalty of Who would want a couple of snakes slithering
Jewish subjects. A single- their way around the Chanukah lights? Obviously,
e, symbol of both Poland and someone did, because this menorah has been
ad a similar connotation. around since 1810. (Can you spot them? Look at
only a partial explanation, the base of the seven-branched menorah in the
gle- and double-headed design on the backplate.)
ar much earlier in Jewish art,
pired by the saying attributed Actually, snake imagery is more common
da ben Teima in Pirkei Avos: in Jewish art than one might think. When the
a leopard, light as an eagle, subject is Gan Eden, it makes sense. But this isn’t
azelle, and mighty as a lion to the only menorah with a snake motif, so what’s
of your Father in Heaven.” the connection between snakes and Chanukah?
g to Jerusalem’s U. Nahon A guess — and it’s really just a guess — can be
talian Jewish Art, which has found in the story of Yosef, who was protected
norah in its collection, the from the snakes and scorpions usually found in a
sts and trees recall elements pit because of his righteousness.
ormal European garden. That’s
e case with Mr. Hoffman’s According to some, we can learn a lesson
here the lampposts suggest about where to place the Chanukah menorah
nt to a “garden” filled with from this incident. Because the pit was very
ees and vines. Vines were deep, the brothers couldn’t see the snakes and
n Jewish art to represent the scorpions, so they couldn’t see the miracle that
Jerusalem, and Torah, giving saved Yosef’s life. Therefore, to publicize the
h yet another layer of rich miracle, the menorah has to be placed in a spot
where people can see it. If it’s placed too high,
140 according to Rabbi Nathan ben Minyomi in the
name of Rabbi Tanhum, it’s unfit. So perhaps the
designer of this menorah had this gemara in mind
when he created the design, but we’ll probably
never know for sure.

Swift as a Gazelle

This Chanukah menorah from Germany, 1881, with its depiction of gazelles
surrounding a tree, may not be “important” or “monumental,” but it’s certainly
unusual. Gazelles sometimes flanked a seven-branched menorah instead of lions,
or they were used in other decorative ways. Their pose usually suggested swift
movement, as in the saying from Pirkei Avos — unlike these gazelles, which seem
more relaxed.

But there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to a menorah’s design. In
addition to animals, some might be decorated with palm trees, a basket of fruit,
or the Shivas Haminim, as in this menorah presented to Rabbi Dr. Wilhelm Munz
on the Silver Anniversary of his being rabbi of Gilwice, Upper Silesia. According to
Mr. Hoffman, Rabbi Munz’s father was a talmid of the Chasam Sofer, and “anything
associated with the Chasam Sofer is important.” As for why a menorah might be
decorated with the Shivas Haminim, perhaps it’s to hint that Chanukah was the last
time bikkurim could be brought to the Beis Hamikdash.

22 Cheshvan 5780 | November 20, 2019 161M I S H PA C H A