r/JewsOfConscience • u/RoscoeArt • 4d ago

Celebration DIY Menorah

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Happy early Chanukah! I will be away from home for the first few days of Chanukah and was going to just make a crappy make shift menorah. I had some clay laying around and decided to make something more meaningful instead. If you haven't made a menorah before I highly suggest it it is a very beautiful experience. I can't wait to light this guy up. Bless you all.

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u/throwawaydragon99999 Jewish Anti-Zionist 3d ago

This looks really cool but it isn’t a kosher menorah, the non-shamash candles are supposed to be in a straight line on the same level

“The lights should be placed in an even row; one should not be higher than the other.” - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:9

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4297984/jewish/Chapter-139-Laws-of-Chanukah.htm

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u/RoscoeArt 3d ago edited 3d ago

The holes become deeper as they get closer to the top of the watermelon slice so that the base of each hole is on the same plane. So when a candle is placed in all of them there is simply more candle exposed at the lower candle levels but the tops will all be level. The Shamash also has a much shallower hole then the candles immediately next to it so it will be properly elevated. I've never seen the they must be in a straight line rule though I feel like I've seen alot of menorahs that would fall outside that rule. oh well next year.

Edit: is there any like religious reasoning for why it must be a straight line? Just curious. Like it seems pretty obvious why the shamash should be elevated and the other ones all on the same plane but I feel like the idea of a row would only be helpful in terms of organizing the candles and maintaining a readable "order" of lighting. Which the holes in mine are still in a "row" just not a straight one.

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u/throwawaydragon99999 Jewish Anti-Zionist 3d ago

It definitely looks cool. Lots of menorahs, especially artsy looking or souvenir ones are technically not kosher, but it’s still a mitzvah to light them

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u/RoscoeArt 3d ago

In the spirit of Judaism here's some people that disagree and say a semi circle can be kosher :p. Just joshing though, I appreciate the comment. My goal was to make it as kosher as possible I didn't realize that was considered a factor in a menorahs kosherness. Have a good Chanukah :).

https://www.ou.org/holidays/laws_of_chanukah/