happy hanukkah

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah.  During the eight nights of Hanukkah we light a Hanukkiah to commemorate the relighting of the menorah in the temple in Jerusalem after its destruction in 168 BCE; it's a celebration of peace after strife and bringing forth light from places of darkness.

Kindle the taper like the steadfast star
Ablaze on evening's forehead o'er the earth,
And add each night a lustre till afar
An eightfold splendor shine above thy hearth.

-- Emma Lazarus

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note: the color matching Hannukiah (or Hanukkah Menorah) above is a project from my first book.  You can find more information about the book here.