Home for HANUKKAH + Home Remodel Update | Orthodox Jewish Mom (Jar of Fireflies)

[@Julia-ch9wt]

I love your Moriah it's beautiful.. I was fortunate enough to take my Parents to Israel and my mother bought a Moriah that she loved.. We are not Jewish but my mother did a lot of studying and loved the Jewish ways..

[@deborahcarter3453]

I love hearing your husband sing. Thanks for sharing.

[@jaroffireflies]

My pleasure!

[@Shenanigans_Afoot]

SOFT CLOSE CABINETS!!! I just love them so much. Your kitchen is gorgeous. I love how it all came together.

[@jaroffireflies]

I have never had soft close cabinets before!!! Not sure what I’ll do now when I’m mad 🤣🤣🤣 But the kitchen is a much more peaceful place with no banging around. Thank you!!!

[@susanwestfall5519]

A room without books is like a body without a soul. We have books in every room of our house. Yes, every room except the pantry.

[@jaroffireflies]

I told my husband instead of a cabinet for towels above the toilet I want bookshelves for all my cozy mysteries 🤣 Books everywhere!

[@susanwestfall5519]

@@jaroffireflies I am a retired librarian and books have always been a big part of my life. We have three grown daughters and two of them are librarians-one works with children and one works with adults. Laura the children’s librarian says her earliest memories of me are that I always had a book in my hand. We raised three avid readers.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@susanwestfall5519 oh being a librarian must be the BEST job!!! I love that!

[@susanwestfall5519]

@@jaroffireflies I started college saying I was going to major in library science and get my masters degree and I never changed my mind or my major.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@susanwestfall5519 that’s amazing. I wish I would have thought of that as a major! I’ve often thought about opening a bookstore :)

[@aidele5757]

Mazal tov for your son's birthday!! And it was nice to see a glimpse of your husband Happy Chanukah!!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! 💜

[@tracyl1368]

A lovely festival during the darkest of months which give hope of the light to come!

[@jaroffireflies]

Absolutely:) We love Chanukah 🕎

[@jessramirez5721]

Thank you for the explanation of Hanukkah. I always assumed it was a major "holiday" for Jewish people. Although I'm not Jewish, I feel like I can relate to a lot of your traditions and lifestyle. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your life with us.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for watching! Chanukah being a big holiday is definitely a major misconception :) Our biggest holidays happen in the Fall during the High Holidays (Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, Simchat Torah, Shmini Atzeret).

[@erinaa9486]

And Pesach (Passover) in the spring is very major, too

[@jaroffireflies]

@@erinaa9486 yes definitely!

[@marilynryan7822]

My high school was in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood.Most of my friends celebrated Hanukkah. I was able to learn about Jewish holidays and holy days😌 Growing up in a predominantly Irish neighborhood it was interesting to learn about a other religion Two years later I’m still rearranging my remodeled kitchen similar to yours.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you for sharing part of your story! So fun!

[@marilynryan7822]

@Jar of Fireflies..I love how even with how busy you are you take time to answer everyone 😌🦋

[@jaroffireflies]

@@marilynryan7822 I’m trying! 😊💜

[@sandyb34]

Happy birthday to your little guy! Your house is looking great!!! Thank you also for the Hanukkah lesson. I enjoy hearing the history and I learned a lot (like it's not Jewish Christmas - the 8 days of presents are typical here in my area for those friends who are Jewish).

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you!!! So glad you enjoyed! We tried doing 8 days of presents in the past, but it just didn’t work for us 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@burjuddubowy347]

Your Chanukiah is magnificent, is it an heirloom?

[@jewisharmywife]

I’m enjoying watching your journey with the renovation. I’ve wanted to own my own home for as long as I can remember. It is really hard when you move as much as we do. We are a Jewish army family. Watching our last light burn out tonight was really sad because it meant Chanukah was over.

[@jaroffireflies]

All the moving around definitely makes owning a home a challenge! I hope you can have your dream one day 💜 my kids were really sad tonight too that Chanukah was on it’s last night. Ends of holidays are hard in our house so I feel ya! Hugs!

[@sassytbc7923]

Have you done a video on the types of menorahs?

[@Belushi87]

happy birthday to your son.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you!!!

[@oilofjoywithcoachtina9555]

I love your hanukkiah! Beautiful! Yes we do celebrate! It’s pretty low key - but we always enjoy one night of something yummy and fried. We also try to have one night with friends over, play games and enjoy plenty of good food together.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thanks Tina! Y’all celebrate about like we do :) I do try to do more fried foods that week in general, but ya we like to have friends over one night and I attempt donuts each year lol

[@oilofjoywithcoachtina9555]

@@jaroffireflies that’s impressive! I haven’t made fried donuts since going gluten and egg free. It’s a tough combo to do sometimes. But I sure do miss them!

[@jaroffireflies]

@@oilofjoywithcoachtina9555 it really is. I haven’t found a good donut recipe still. Maybe this year will be the year!!!

[@gayleford8277]

Thank you so much for sharing your Hanukkah ceremony with us- also great seeing where you are with the remodel! looking great.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for watching! I’m so glad you enjoyed :)

[@Penny-bt4gc]

When my children were young they attended a private daycare/ kindergarten, I loved it because they celebrated all the holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa etc. It included traditional food and celebrations of each. The kids enjoyed it and learned about other faiths.

[@tirzaellesson6355]

Happy Hanukkah 🕎 what a great way to celebrate by moving back into your home. We love the more relaxed pace of Hanukkah compared to the other Holidays, which are so full and beautiful.

[@jaroffireflies]

You are so right about the relaxed pace! Happy Hanukkah!!!

[@maryanntownsend265]

Shabbat Shalom❤️

[@candyrenee2152]

Happy birthday to your son!💕 your home is looking lovely!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much 😊💛

[@CherylNoe]

Happy birthday to your little dude!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! 💖

[@ImazABoss]

Chag sameach!! We've been enjoying the week... Lots of delicious food, fun and smiles. Last night I made falafel latkes, falafkes? Lol sooooo yummy. I did a whipped feta topping (oh vitamix how I love thee) and a harissa tahini one too. I did traditional ones too for the kiddos naturally and served all with Israeli salad. We've had three major latke nights, a fried chicken night and one night of sushi because I just couldn't even with the frying haha!!

[@jaroffireflies]

Yum!!! Serious yum!!! That all sounds DELICIOUS! P.a. You can fry sushi 🤣 Just saying! It’s one of my favs lol

[@miriamleavitt9131]

Happy Chanukah!! I love your videos! Enjoy your house it's looking amazing! May you have an amazing Chanukah!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Happy Chanukah to you as well!!!

[@jaroffireflies]

What do you think of Hanukkah?

[@tracyl1368]

Shabas is great to have at home......

[@jaroffireflies]

@@tracyl1368 100%!!!!!

[@debbiecrouch709]

We just painted looks like the same color. I’m loving it so warm and inviting. Love the videos!

[@jaroffireflies]

Awesome! Yes it is so warm and inviting!

[@Crazycatlady1836]

Chag Hanukkah Sameach and Mazel Tov on your son's birthday! I LOVE your olive oil Menorah! We have a standard Menorah that we "retro-fit" glass vials of pre-filled olive oil. I will look for one like yours for next year. Your kitchen looks beautiful!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you thank you! Chag Sameach! Happy Chanukah!

[@cheryltallafuss1166]

Hello Chana, I feel like I've hit a million dollar lottery finding your KZbin channel. I simply adored your first video ( well, that I have watched. You are an amazing woman of God. I have a pen pal that lives in Bethlehem with her husband and 2 boys. We use "Google Translator" to communicate. We chat on Facebook messenger. We enjoy getting snail mail from each other. She was born in Russia. Her family moved to Israel when she was 3. Enough about me. Glad to meet you 🦋

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy to have you here 💜 Very cool about your pen pal! Thank you for watching’

[@cheryltallafuss1166]

@@jaroffireflies Hello Chana, thank you, for replying so swiftly. I love your paint color choices. I was admiring your furniture in this particular video. Your kitchen is also coming along very nicely. Remodeling a kitchen is the hardest room in the home. We have done two remodeling projects. 1st home( was built in 1800.) We actually did the restoration while living in it! We had many craftsmen as friends which saved thousands of dollars. Due to its age, it was considered a “Historical Landmark.” Everything we did needed an inspection done first, Next brought before the “department of urban development” (it could be restored keeping its 1800 style) Not Remodeled-which was exactly our intention. However, getting each and every single room’s blueprint approved, get the work completed, then inspected was a nightmare. The house was still using a coal furnace to heat the home with steam radiators.Fortunately we were able to have it removed and hook up to the town gas.We knew we would not live there long as it was too close to the road where my sister in law was hit by a car crossing it. She eventually passed away. We had 1 child-Daughter and I was pregnant with#2 We purchased the home 2 doors down from that home where my husband was raised. Oh Lord, I did not intend to “write a novel”. I was wanting to ask you where home was for you? Enjoy your evening. Blessings. Enjoy your days left of Hanukkah. Cheryl

[@jaroffireflies]

@@cheryltallafuss1166 sounds like y’all had a super fun Reno project!!!! I love old houses very much :) Home for me is Texas, USA!

[@evanshomeschooladventure2628]

Chag sameach! Your kitchen is looking great!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! Happy Hanukkah!!!

[@H3arme3r0ar]

I never see you drinking coffee or much caffeine ..if any ? Can you drink stuff with caffeine? How do you have so much energy with the poor sleep that you get . Your energy is motivating me

[@jaroffireflies]

I used to drink caffeine, I go on and off it. I’m currently off caffeine. I find I have much better energy when I’m not drinking caffeine :)

[@sassytbc7923]

The Festival of Lights

[@uniquelyplanned443]

I love your Hanukkiah. Is it passed down from family or is it available to buy somewhere?

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! We bought it, but my husband doesn’t remember from where

[@ellenhomeister7374]

Great home progress! I do celebrate Hanukkah. Being single I get myself a gift every year. I like your family’s Hanukkiah with oil cups and wicks; mine is the one that takes the little candles, they are hard to get to stand up. Either way I love commemorating the fact that no one can force us to not believe in one G-d. It’s so nice to display lights.

[@jaroffireflies]

I love the candle ones personally (though I agree lol they are hard to keep straight!). My husband likes the oil so I switched when we got married :) What gift did you get yourself this year? Happy Chanukah!

[@ellenhomeister7374]

@@jaroffireflies a pair of ankle shoes- weather resistance(very practical) just in time for a little snow we might get this week!☃️ If even it’s less than 2 inches💞

[@jaroffireflies]

@@ellenhomeister7374 snow is snow! We don’t usually get any here lol What a great gift 💛 Enjoy!

[@itstomatosmommy5098]

How do you handle family members who want you to celebrate Christmas with them, or visit them during Christmas?

[@JustJodisJourney]

That is a beautiful Hanakia, care to share where you bought it? I would love to have one..

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! I will check with my husband, he bought it from a store online

[@Ireluinar]

I think this is the first time we've seen your husband, isn't it? What a beautiful voice he has! Quick question from a non-Jew (I'm sorry if it's a silly one): hanukkia=nine branches, menorah=7 branches? Correct? Also, when do you light your menorah? Any special occasion? Is it used in any ritual?

[@jaroffireflies]

Yes! It’s the first time he’s been in a video more than a glimpse :) So a Hanukkah is used for Hanukkah and has places for 9 candles. One for each night plus one for the candle you light with :) We only light it on Hanukkah. A menorah vs Hanukkiah: menorah refers to both what we light on Hanukkah and what was lit in the Temple (7 branches). The temple menorah was made of gold, hanukkiah can be made of anything. The temple menorah was lit in daytime, the Hanukkah we light at night. That’s the major differences :)

[@Ireluinar]

@@jaroffireflies Ah, so, you don't actually use a menorah at home for any purpose other than remembering the temple? I mean, I guess you can light it up sometimes, but it's not the "real" one, it's more like a symbol than a tool used in rituals? Or are menorahs used in synagogues? Not sure I'm making myself clear. I mean to ask whether you are supposed to use a menorah in certain specific rituals, like you do with the shofar or the kiddush cup, or it's more an identity symbol, like the six-pointed star of David.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@Ireluinar it’s not specifically an identity symbol, it’s something we use for Hanukkah. We need to light it on Chanukah to commemorate the miracles. But this is the only time of year we use it. If there is one at my synagogue, I have never seen it. Lighting is done at home.

[@jaroffireflies]

I hope that makes more sense :)

[@Ireluinar]

@@jaroffireflies I see, the hanukkia is only used at Hanukkah, but I was wondering whether there is any mitzvah that involves using the 7-branch menorah, because I seem to have seen both types (9-branch and 7 branch onee) in many Jewish homes and I thought they had different uses, but from your previous reply I gather the 7-branch one was only used in the Temple. Since the Temple got destroyed, I imagine the ones I've seen around are just copies that people like to have in their homes as a reminder of the real one that got destroyed. I hope I'm making more sense now. And thanks a lot for your patience explaining it all to me. I know you're a busy mum!

[@crystalclear6660]

What other holidays do you give a gift(s) on?

[@jaroffireflies]

We give gifts for our major once a year holidays like Sukkot, Passover etc. If you watch the vlogs on my holiday playlist, they often include the gift giving :)

[@barbarasimon5756]

Unrelated to this particular video--but why is your husband permitted to wear shorts?

[@user-wt1qs3bd9c]

בשבילי