Reddish-Naama Steinbock (b. 1975) and Idan Friedman (b. 1975)
Hanukit, 2003
Aluminum
Gift of the artists
Must Know
During the holiday of Hanukkah, on each of the eight nights, a candle is lit in a special menorah (candelabra) called a ‘chanukiyah’. This chanukiya is customarily placed near a window or doorway in our homes so that the miracle of chanuka can be broadcasted (pirsumei nisa) .
On the first night of Hanukkah one light (candle or oil) is lit on the right side of the menorah, on the following night a second light is placed to the left of the first but it is lit first, and so on, proceeding from placing candles right to left but lighting them from left to right over the eight nights. Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody and familiar songs are sung afterward. The Talmud (Shabbat 21b) teaches us that by adding candles we are increasing holiness in the world
More Info
Hanukit is a creation of Naama Steinbock and Idan Friedman of the Reddish product design studio based in Jaffa. They chose to bring the essential aid in the chanuka lighting ceremony to the central stage. The matches, whose job has always to light the candles or wick and thus bring light to the world. The matches, like many people in our lives, who are so crucial to our existence and not properly recognized. This piece, can be carried anywhere and was intended for the wandering Jew, (or as they like to think the wondering Jew) who because of extraneous circumstances may not be able to properly light the Hannuka lamp. Naama and Idan describe themselves as secular Jews who are connected to the Jewish tradition, and were fully aware that this chanukia could never be used by a “halachic” Jew, because according to Jewish law the light must last at least for 1/2 hour. This piece when lit only lasts for a few seconds. This playful twist on the chanukia, that can be held in the palm of your hand, and taken anywhere celebrates the spirit of the Jewish people fighting to preserve our identity throughout the course of history, an identity that can be squashed out in a few seconds.
