On January 1st, I published a short story in response to the Friday Fictioneers. The piece ended with Papa beginning to tell his small daughter Rebekah the story of the significance of the Hannukah lights. So many people wanted to hear that story that I’ve written it, and here it is.
Image by chavahjacobs from Pixabay
Papa’s story
It was the last day of Hanukkah. All eight candles of the Hanukkiah burned quietly in the window, making a beacon of hope for the world outside. 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, many, many years ago there was a little girl named Rebekah,” began Papa.
“Just like me,” murmured Rebekah, contentedly, her thumb slipping into her mouth. Momma frowned, but stayed silent.
“She was a good girl, but she was sad,” went on Papa. ”She was sad, her Momma and Papa were sad, and so were all their friends.”
Rebekah looked up at Papa. Her lip quivered. “I don’t want her to be sad, Papa,” she said. She scanned his face anxiously and, as she saw the love there, she relaxed.
“The people were all sad because a wicked king had stopped them from worshipping in the temple. Nobody went to Zion any more. People felt lost. They didn’t know what to do.
Then HaShem saved us. He spoke to some of our young men in their dreams, and they fought the wicked king. More and more men joined with them, and HaShem blessed them with courage and strength. They defeated the king. Our people could worship in the temple once again!”
Rebekah opened her eyes. “We can worship, can’t we Papa?”
“Yes, little one, yes we can.” He placed his forefinger on Rebekah’s lips. “But listen, and I’ll finish the story.
The very first time they worshipped in the temple, they needed their lamps to burn for eight days and nights. These were lamps that burned oil – and the only oil they had was one small clay pot, about as big as the bottle of olive oil Momma uses in the cooking.
‘It’ll never last the full eight days,’ said one of them, but the leader said ‘People said we could never beat the wicked king, but we did. HaShem will provide.’
So they filled the lamps and lit them.
And for eight days, they topped up the lamps from the little pot, and every day the lamps kept burning, until eight days had passed. HaShem had provided. It was a miracle.”
“I expect that made Rebekah very happy. It makes me happy.” The little girl smiled sleepily.
“It made everybody happy, so happy that they wanted their children, and their children’s children to remember it forever. So every year at Hannukah we light candles every day.”
Rebekah nodded. “The candles look like stars,” she murmured.
Papa stroked her hair.
“So when we light the candles and put them in the window, we are saying ‘HaShem saved us. HaShem gives us light.’ It’s sacred light, a holy light, and we must treasure it. We can’t just use it for everyday things. Do you understand, little one?”
Rebekah nodded thoughtfully.
“Yes, Papa,” she answered.
Her thumb went back into her mouth. Her eyes closed. She smiled. She slept.
Dear Penny,
Thank you so much for creating the continuation of your FF story!
Beautifully told!
Dale
xo
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Dear Dale
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. It was a happy story to write.
With very best wishes
Penny
xo
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awwwww … I love your sweet interpretation of the story of the Maccabim 🙂
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Dear Na’ama
It can’t be very often that the word ‘sweet’ appears with reference to the Maccabim! I admit that I took a lot of liberties, cutting out the gore, torture and general bloodthirstiness of the original. But then, I feel sure Papa would have done exactly the same.
With very best wishes
Penny
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I think it fit well with what a parent would tell a child before bed … So, yeah, this was what made it sweet, in the sweetest sense of the word. 🙂
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Dear Penny,
You’ve done a wonderful job with the Hanukkah story. Beautiful retelling. I felt the warmth of the lights. It makes me happy this started with Friday Fictioneers. Thank you for sharing this.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for such warm, appreciative comments. It was a lovely story to write.
Shalom
Penny
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This is quite wonderful, Penny. A perfect way for Papa to tell this danger-filled story to a small child.
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Dear Linda
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I really enjoyed writing about the love within a close family.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
You drew me in with your descriptive writing. I could hear Papa’s voice and see Momma frowning as Rebekah put her thumb in her mouth. The little girl’s innocence and contentment are palpable.
Best wishes,
Mags
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Dear Mags
Thank you for reading and for your very kind comment. I’m pleased the descriptive writing drew you in. It was an enjoyable story to write!
With very best wishes
Penny
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You’re welcome, Penny.
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Penny, this is absolutely beautiful! I loved it! Thank you so much for writing and sharing.
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Dear Sascha
Thank you for reading and for your very kind comment. This story was a pleasure to write. It reminded me of telling bedtime stories to my children; a very precious memory.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Oh, thank you for that lovely memory. My Great Grandfather told me that story many times. I loved candles growing up. Always and ever on Sunday dawn, He would light a candle in the window of the front sitting room. That candle would burn all day. Don’t know how as mine never last more than a few hours at best, but it would burn until sunset. Maybe… I’m just thinking, mind you… I should rekindle that tradition… maybe.
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Dear Bear
Thank you for reading and for your lovely comments. I’m really delighted that my story reminded you of your great-grandfather. I love candles too, and in winter I have them on my table at dinner time; they turn an ordinary meal into a celebration!
With very best wishes
Penny
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