Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Maoz Tzur
It was the last day of Hanukkah, and all eight candles of the Hanukkiah blazed in the window. We sang the Haneirot Hallalu and the Maoz Tzur, and we sat down. Papa turned on the lights.
“Can’t we keep the lights off? The candles are so pretty!” asked five-year-old Rebekah.
“The candles are for others to see and know that HaShem saved us. It would not be right to use their light for another purpose,” explained Papa, gently.
“Why?”
“Sit here and I’ll tell you.” Papa patted his lap, and Rebekah climbed up and snuggled there.
“Once upon a time…”
Autumn Leaves 
I’m intrigued by Papa’s reasoning. I wanted to hear the story, though I’m not sure it would have satisfied my curiosity
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Dear Neil
Thank you for reading and commenting. Papa was going to use an analogy that Rebekah would understand emotionally; the theology would be a bit much for a five-year-old. I’m not sure either explanation would work for you though! I’ll let you know if I write the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Here’s the link to Papa’s story, Neil
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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I liked how you built this, although much of it is foreign to me.
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Dear CE,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you liked how I built the story.
With best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Such a sweet and simple tale. It touched me deeply. Beautifully written and has me humming Mao Tzur. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mkOss8P5tg (Enjoy)
Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment. I’m glad the story touched you. Thank you, too, for the link – a very lively and committed singing of the prayer!
Shalom and Happy New Year
Penny
xx
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Lovely story, Penny and I do understand that logic – the light is a pure symbol, not to be used for other purposes. You conjure a warm, homely feel, an intimate moment. Wonderful
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and commenting so perceptively. I think you’ve caught the essence of the emotions surrounding the restriction on the use of the candles. The festival of Hannukah celebrates the restoration of true worship in the temple. The story is that for eight days all the lamps were kept burning by the oil from a single small cruse. So the candles commemorate a miracle. You would want, I feel sure, to only use miraculous provision for the purpose for which it was provided. (Think of manna and quails in the wilderness and what happened to those who abused their provision…)
With very best wishes
Penny
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Lovely story, Penny. But–I would love to hear Grandfather’s explanation 🙂
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Dear Linda
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. If I write Papa’s explanation I’ll let you know!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Thanks! Happy New Year, Penny!
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Dear Linda
Here’s the link to Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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A lovely tale which sent me to Google to find out a little more about the Hanukiah and the traditions associated with it – and a worthwhile trip it was! Thank you, Penny.
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Dear Keith
Thank you for reading and commenting. Google and Wikipedia are truly wonderful sources of information, aren’t they?
With very best wishes
Penny
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…certainly easier than thumbing through a huge encyclopedia!
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Lovely vignette, Penny.
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Dear Josh
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed he piece.
With best wishes
Penny
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It’s good to tell the kids all about those kinds of stories
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Dear Larry
Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree that it’s good to preserve a culture through teaching them the important stories.
With best wishes
Penny
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Maybe in the end it’s the story that matters the most… and now every time it will be remembered with the light
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Dear Bjorn
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, stories are powerful and shape the future of a culture as well as recording its past and illuminating its present.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Lovely! And … in fact the Halachic (Jewish law) rule is that one is NOT to use the light, only to ‘see it’ – it is sang as part of “Hanerot Halallu” (we have no permission to use them, but to see them only”)
ואין לנו רשות להשתמש בהם, אלא לראותם בלבד
Well told!
Now, I wonder what story he’d tell her … 🙂
Na’ama
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. It was the Halachic rule on not using the light that prompted Papa’s remark. I think I’m going to have to write the story that Papa tells Rebekah…!
With very best wishes
Penny
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I’d love to read the story Papa tells Rebekah! 🙂
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Dear Na’ama
Here’s the link to Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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Saw it and commented! 🙂
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Papa is a man Rebekah will remember fondly long after he’s gone.
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Dear Jade
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right, Rebekah will remember Papa throughout her life.
With best wishes
Penny
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You are very welcome, Penny.
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This was lovely, Penny. I’m sure Papa will explain it so a five-year-old can understand.
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Dear Dale
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think Papa is good at telling stories!
With very best wishes
Penny
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I don’t doubt it at all… We all want to hear it now!
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Dear Dale
Here’s Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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I love the warmth of this story. It left me with a smile.
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Dear EagleAye
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m delighted my story left you smiling.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Aww, now I want to curl up and hear the story. You’ve hooked me. Loved it!
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Dear Bear
Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment. I’ll let you know if I write the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Bear
Here’s Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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Thanks, Penny. I’ll go out and read it. 🙂
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Beautiful story
Papa and daughter’s relationship is lovely. Told beautifully in 100 words
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Dear Laurie
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you liked the relationship between Papa and daughter.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Very interesting! I’m always curious about other cultures and traditions.
It’s a nice switch up to have your story end with “Once upon a time…” That’s a little nontraditional.
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Dear Nobbin
Thank you for reading and for your astute comment. I like learning about other cultures and traditions too.
With best wishes
Penny
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A lovely gentle piece, thank you. I also liked the reverse use of ‘once upon a time’, clever.
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Dear Siobhan
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m pleased you enjoyed the story.
With best wishes
Penny
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why do i wish i were rebekah? i wanted to hear the backdrop of the story too. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel
Thank you for reading and commenting so delightfully. Papa’s lap feels like a very good, safe place to be, doesn’t it? I’ll let you know if I write the story!
With best wishes
Penny
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Dear Plaridel
Here’s Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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A lovely family moment, Penny. Happy New Year!
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Dear Brenda
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. Happy New Year to you, too!
With best wishes
Penny
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I bet Papa is always looking for an opening to tell his educational stories 🙂
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Dear Ali
Thank you for reading and commenting. Your comment made me laugh out loud!
Best wishes
Penny
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A touching story Penny, thanks for enlightening me about the significance of the eight candles. As others have said, I’d like to hear Papa’s story too.
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Dear Francine
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad my story touched you.
With best wishes
Penny
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Dear Francine
Here’s Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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The light in the darkness is such a strong symbol, no matter in which religion it is used. This is such a beautiful story, warm, gentle and full of love. And educational.
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Dear Gabi
Thank you for reading and for your very kind comments. There’s nothing like a good family gathering for enfolding you in love is there?
With very best wishes
Penny
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I think that depends very much of the family. For the one in your story: definitely.
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A lovely story. I’d love to hear the one Papa tells her.
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Dear Sascha
Thank you for reading and commenting. Papa’s story is in progress!
With best wishes
Penny
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Good to hear, Penny. I’ll be looking forward to it.
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Dear Sascha
Here’s Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
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Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read it, Penny!
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What a sweet tale. Hope to hear/read what Papa has to say! 😊
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Dear Mags
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. Here’s a link to Papa’s story
https://pennygadd51.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/hannukah-papas-story/
With best wishes
Penny
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