During the solemn first evening of the Hanukkah holiday, the faithful gathered in homes recite several blessings. They refer to past events and the miracle that took place in the Jerusalem Temple. One of these blessings is dedicated to the giver of life: "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season". The lighting of the Hanukkah candles always begins with the new one for that particular day. After lighting the candles, the gathered recite the words of the song These Lights, explaining to household members and guests the reason for lighting the Hanukkah lamps. The hymn Rock of My Salvation is also sung, recalling the successive exiles of the Jewish people and praising God, who always saved them. It is also a prayer for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple and the coming of the Messianic era (http://www.izrael.badacz.org/kultura/kalendarz_chanuka.html, accessed on 23 February 2021). Sephardic Jews sing Psalm 30 instead of this hymn.
The Hanukkah lamp from the collection of the District Museum in Leszno is supported by four volute legs. It has a rectangular base surrounded by a flowing lambrequin adorned with a repeating floral motif. Eight sleeve-like oil burners are placed on the base. The same type of oil burner with a hook, called a "shamash", is placed on the backplate. The crowned backplate is decorated with relief decoration – a vase with flowers and fruit eaten by a bird. Two raised lions flank the entire lamp, supporting a curtain finished with a lambrequin.
The lamp is marked. On the backplate, under the vase on the left side, and on the flowing lambrequin of the base, there are four hallmarks: the purity mark of "84" in a rectangle, the initials of the assayer "AK" and the date "1896" in a rectangle, coat of arms of the Vilnius Assay Office "Pogoń" in a rectangle, and the goldsmith's monogram "AI" in a rectangular field. Additionally, the purity mark of "84" is repeated under the lion figure on the right side of the vase.
The item was purchased in 2002 from Józef Frach, a collector and retired teacher, and long-time headmaster of the Primary School in Jezierzyce Kościelne. The previous owner did not indicate the source of the artifact.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
