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The Menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish people. It is a symbolization of the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Sinai.

During the Hanukkah celebration the Jews actually use a Menorah with eight branches and one central branch. During the rebuilding of the Jewish temple there was only enough olive oil to light the Menorah for one day. The Menorah burned for eight days creating enough light and time to finish rebuilding the temple.

Today the Jewish use the Menorah to show the eight days of celebration of the miracle and the central branch is used to light the other eight.

Anyone Jewish will most certainly have a Menorah in his or her home during the Hanukkah celebration but here is a way for your child to create their very own Menorah to place in their bedroom.

What You’ll Need

* Menorah template from the Internet or the Library
* Heavy white poster board
* Sharp pencil
* Gold, dark brown, red, yellow and orange crayons or markers
* Scissors

Instructions

First you will want to help your child trace the Menorah out onto the poster board. Using poster board will ensure the Menorah stays together and won’t be too flimsy. Once the Menorah has been traced on the poster board the children can color the Menorah before cutting it out.

When coloring the Menorah, start with the gold crayon or maker and color the base. Traditionally the Menorah is almost all gold. The cups of the Menorah were created and based on an almond blossom, a knop, which is an imitation of the fruit of an almond blossom and a flower. It will be rather hard for your child to create these on their Menorah but they can try if they would like. This should be done with the dark brown crayon to stay with tradition. If your child feels they cannot recreate these then using a dark brown crayon or marker and coloring in the cup will work just fine.

Now using the red, yellow and orange crayons or marker they can create the flames on the candles of the Menorah. After this is completed they can cut the Menorah out of the poster board. Once they have the Menorah cut out they can place it on their bedroom wall with tape.

This will give your child their very own Menorah to place in their room and you will not be worried about candles being lit and burning. It will help to give your child a part of their own Hanukkah celebration to cherish during their special time.

Submitted by Christmas Fun

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