The Miracle of Chanukah

Once again the feeling was brought home to us that there is nowhere like Israel during the holidays and Chanukah was no exception.
Think about when you go into a mall from anytime after Halloween and you are greated with decorations, carols, and even Santa Claus. Well when we went into the mall this is what we saw:




Imagine, walking around downtown and turning a corner and coming to a square filled with people watching a beautiful fireworks menorah and then a whole fireworks display in honour of the fourth night of Chanukah. Imagine that everyone joins in song together after watching the chanukah lighting.



Imagine everywhere you go special Chanukah arts and crafts and programs......for Chanukah! Imagine treats being given out that your kids can eat! Imagine walking the streets and seeing Menorahs everywhere! Imagine arriving to a hotel in the middle of the Negev at candle lighting time, no explaining to do to the hotel staff about your strange custom of lighting candles at dark, just head into the lobby and join everyone and light your menorah. Imagine being wished Chag Sameach (Happy Chanukah) with every purchase you make!

Now imagine lighting the candles with your children 5 months after their arrival in their new home...........each makes their own bracha......and out comes the most beautiful little brachot in little israeli hebrew accents. For this year that was our most precious Chanukah Miracle: four seemingly happy/content children making their brachot in their homeland, the place where Chanukah took place, and beginning to understand and speak such a beautiful Israeli Hebrew. Shehechiyanu v'kiyimanu v'higiyanu le zeman haze.......thank you Hashem!