Celebrating the Eighth Night and Day of Chanukah in Sydney, Australia!
Tonight/Today is the eighth and last day of Chanukah for this year. It’s my favorite because I love seeing the menorah all lit at full splendor, but it’s my least favorite because it signals the end of one of my favorite holidays. Good thing I believe in eating donuts all year round… and I believe that potato kugel should just be one really giant latke. 
Last night, I celebrated the end of Chanukah by going to a really big Chanukah party that was held in Double Bay, a neighborhood of Sydney. I went with a friend of mine and her daughter. The party was mostly geared toward children and offered lots of diversions for them, including a petting zoo, games, rides, a magician, and even pony rides. Still, it was fun to walk around, say hi to everyone, and celebrate Chanukah!
After that party, I went to a party at a friend’s house. She had over many guests and (of course) fed them lots of latkes! I had a nice time meeting people, some of whom were not Jewish or did not know much about the holiday. It was fun getting to explain to them the history of Chanukah traditions, such as giving gelt and playing dreidel. I also got to explain about the different laws and traditions surrounding menorahs. There are some laws that apply to all menorahs (such as that the candles should be all at the same height and in a straight line, except for the shamash), but other differences (such as whether to light with oil, candles, or a combination) are only traditions. After lighting the menorah, everyone sat around and sang songs. One man played a guitar while another played a drum. It was really fun! This is the kind of celebration with family and friends that Chanukah is really about.
In honor of the eight day of Chanukah, I have composed a parody song that I hope you will all enjoy. I will spare you having to listen to me sing it
On the eighth day of Chanukah,
my true love gave to me
Eight dreidels spinning,
Seven children laughing,
Six chocolate gelt,
Five golden latkes,
Four sufganiyot,
Three magen davids,
Two Jewish mothers,
And a menorah with some candles.
You may also enjoy this YouTube video of some of last night’s festive singing. Please be aware that you may hear some female voices singing in the background:
3 Responses to “Celebrating the Eighth Night and Day of Chanukah in Sydney, Australia!”
We had a blast with you yesterday. Thanks so much for inviting us.
Alizah <3
xxx
Why the warning before the video about hearing female singing voices? Love this blog! I learn so much!!
I need a few points to add up to answer your question thoroughly, so bear with me.
Judaism is a very realistic religion. Many of the laws focus on natural human inclinations and failings. One of those is that men tend to be very easily swayed (or “seduced”) by women, on a superficial level.
The value of modesty is highly valued in Judiasm – and it is especially highly guarded among the women. This is partly because it is commanded in the Torah, partly because we believe it is an inherent aspect of the feminine nature, and also partly due to that particular failing of the men. You see, men are forbidden to look at certain body parts of a woman, so the women take it upon themselves to cover up, so as not to “place a stumbling block before the blind” – the men who would be too tempted to look to resist.
So too with female singing, called “kol isha” in Hebrew. Men are forbidden to listen to women singing because they might be seduced by it (listen to Sade and you’ll understand what I mean!), so women generally refrain from singing around men.
Now, the truth is that strictly speaking, women are allowed to sing in a group. And some people hold that men can listen to recorded female voices but not lives ones (the theory being that the voice isn’t as powerful in a recording, and anyway, the man can’t chase after a woman who is so far out of his reach). However, many men take it upon themselves to avoid listening to female singing (aside from their wives & daughters) altogether – even if it is recorded and in a group. As a courtesy to those men who are holding at that level of strictness, I placed a warning there.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog and learning from it!