#StampingDiversity Blog Hop- Hanukkah

 Today I am participating in the #StampingDiversity Monthly Blog Hop.  

Our theme this month is Hanukkah. 

Here is my card: 

This was a tough design for me as I did not own any Hanukkah stamps....so I opted to use some dies to fabricate a Chanuka menorah and used the candles from the Radiant Light stamp set. The greeting was made with the Alphabet A La Mode Dies.

Since this blog hop is all about diversity, my aim is to educate myself and anyone else who wants to learn about Hanukka and the menorah. 

A menorah is a candelabrum used in Jewish worship, especially one with eight branches and a central socket used at Hanukkah.

The seven-branched menorah has been a symbol of Judaism since biblical times. 

As a lighting fixture, it appears in Exodus as a portable temple used by the Israelites during their desert wanderings. 

Based on a heavenly prototype, the menorah is described in Exodus in minute detail.

The Menorah is a symbol expressing the unique relationship between YEHOVAH God and His people, spiritual Israel. 

The flame of the Menorah expresses our flaming desire to rise up and to become one with YEHOVAH God and Yeshua, His Messiah.

The Chanukah Menorah, also called a Hannukiah, is lit during the Jewish holiday of Chanukah (also Hannukah). 

These contain eight branches and nine lamps, with the lamps or candles being lit each night of the festival. For example, on the first night of Chanukah, only the first lamp would be lit.

On the second night, two lamps would be lit, and so on till the eighth day, when all eight lamps would be lit. The light used to kindle the menorah lamps is known as the shamash, or the servant light.

These modern menorahs are made of metal, or any other fire-safe material, and not of pure gold as outlined in the Bible. They are lit after sundown and allowed to burn late into the night. While some place them at the entrance to the main doorway, facing the street, others keep them indoors, near a window or door.

If you would like to learn more you can find lots more information here: https://symbolsage.com/menorah-symbol-meaning/

Now please hop along and see what my other creative friends have to share with you: