On this day, a celebration begins. Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates that long ago (more that twenty-one centuries ago) one day's worth of oil burned for eight full days.
There is one extra candle lit first every single night of Chanukah. This is the shamash, the service candle, the candle that lights the others. It is not part of the eight candles that celebrate the miracle.
On a menorah, eight candles are lit to commemorate the eight days the fuel burned, when there was only sufficient fuel for one day. The shamash sits apart from the other eight, in the middle, raised or lowered depending on the confiiguration of the menorah.
The shamash is the candle that serves the others.
On this first day of Chanukah, and through the coming week, let us use our photography to be the shamash- the candle that lights the others.
We can use photographs to show others the miracle of light, and the idea of serving with the gifts we have.
Thank you for this post.
Posted by: Sally | 12/01/2010 at 08:00 PM
This is a beautiful post.
Last year I participated in The Light of Winter and I found it so inspirational and motivating.
Thank You for lighting the way.
Peace!
Posted by: Barbara | 12/02/2010 at 07:16 AM
I love taking photos of my menorah all alight!
Posted by: Ellen | 12/03/2010 at 11:32 AM