Obj. ID: 38540
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Hanukkah lamp, Sefrou (Séfrou), circa 1900

The following description was prepared by William Gross: The festival of Chanukah is celebrated in the winter period around December and commemorates a Biblical story in which the Jews of the Land of Israel rebel against the Greek occupiers. They reclaim the desecrated Holy Temple in Jerusalem and, miraculously, the small amount of pure oil remaining is enough to keep the Temple light going for eight days. Lamps with eight burners are lit during this holiday, both in the synagogue and at home. Through the centuries, such lamps have taken a wide variety of forms.

This style for a Moroccan Chanukah lamp is unusual in its form as opposed to more common forms of cast brass lamps from that country. The use of the Hamsot above as well as the open work casting is unusual. Even more so is the inscription cast into the areas just above the oil holders. The words tell of the kindling of lights as a Mitzvah. Inscription: "For the Mitzvah is a candle and the Torah is light" (Proverbs 6:23)