The Meaning of Chanukah M&D (Menorah & Dreidle) 1 | 2 | 3 | HOME One explanation for fighting candles for eight days is that when the Maccabees relit the menorah (or candelabrum) in the Temple, there was only enough oil for one day, but it miraculously lasted until new oil could be found, eight days later. This miracle is referred to on the tab of the Israel stamp. It depicts dreidles (or tops) with Hebrew letters for each of the words in the phrase "A great miracle happened..." In the Diaspora we add a fourth initial for "there" while in Israel the fourth initial stands for "here." The dreidle reflects more modern customs than the ancient holiday. It is similar to spinning tops used in medieval Germany, with both cultures using it for a gambling game similar to "Put and Take." The German top had the letters N, G, H and S representing words for "nothing," "all," "half," and "put in." These letters were transformed into their Hebrew equivalents and translated as noted above. A stamp depicting Donald Duck's nephews (Scrooge McDuck's grand-ducks?) playing with a dreidle was issued by Grenada-Grenadines (#1818) in 1996. Just as the dreidle reflected local culture, so have the various designs of the menorah. Israel issued a set of three stamps in 1972 (#502-4) depicting a Moroccan menorah, which resembled the architecture of that country, while the other stamps in the set depicted 17th and 18th century European menorahs reflective of the art of that time and place. Similarly, the menorah depicted on Yemenite architecture (although the menorah was made in the 20th century, as noted on the stamp). This stamp is part of a set Israel is issuing over several years featuring eight Chanukah menorahs. The set began in 1993 with #1180-2 (the other stamps issued that year depicted an ancient menorah and an illustration of a menorah from 15th century Italy). The set continued with #1183 issued November 27, 1994, which depicted another menorah from Morocco. This one used whatever materials were available; they included a sardine tin can, pieces of cloth, and slivers of glass. The stamp issued in 1995 (#1184) depicts a miniature menorah made in the Lodz ghetto in 1944. When folded it looks like a closed book. Other depictions on stamps and cancellations related to Chanukah include a painting by Moritz Oppenheim of a family in Germany celebrating the holiday, as seen on Israel #567 issued in 1975. Israel has used cancellations depicting dreidles on several occasions, and Germany used a cancellation depicting Judah Maccabee for an Israel stamp exhibit in 1969. In 1996, when the joint U.S.-Israel stamps were issued, Eliahu Ben-Elissar, Israel's ambassador to Washington, issued a statement that spoke to the significance of Chanukah. Quoted in a press release issued by the Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation, the American agent for the Israel Postal Authority, Ben-Elissar said, "The menorah's flame symbolizes tolerance, diversity, strength, perseverance, and reverence." A final comment: Whether it's for Chanukah or Christmas (or a birthday), start someone down a path of enjoyment and education by giving a gift encouraging stamp collecting. And happy holidays and best wishes for 2002. 1 | 2 | 3 | HOME © 2001, J-Stamps/Murray Frost. All Rights Reserved. froststamps@yahoo.com