...And A Dreidel In A Latke Tree

Chanukah has been fun. The kids have been off from school -- Israel's version of winter vacation. The weather has been chilly and rain threatening all week with intermittent drizzling. We waited until Motzai Shabbos to take a picture by the menorah since we were all dressed nicely

I have been trying to take Elisheva and Ezra to Chanukah parties every night so that I can learn in the mornings in the Yeshiva while Ima watches the kids and Ima can rest while I take the kids in the evenings

Sunday Night we went to R' Wolff, one of the Derech Etz Chaim rebbeim, who lives in Rechavia as we reported in the previous blog.

Monday Night we decided to go to Rabbi Katz's mesibah over R' Sheftel's mainly because the weather was cold and R' Katz's was local, although R' Sheftel's kids are closer in age with Elisheva, Ezra and Elazar. It was a barbeque and more like a dinner than a party. The kids and I had plenty to eat and Yoni kept them occupied in the playroom during the d'var Torah.

Tuesday Night, the weather was bad so we stayed home and played with all the stuff Bubby, Grandpa, Saba and Savta sent the kids for Chanukah. Fay made some latkes and we went to sleep early

Wednesday we went to the to see the Bostoner Rebbe light his Chanukah candles. His apartment is about a three minute walk from the house. We got their early so we shouldn't miss it, but we were told to come back in ten minutes, the Rebbe was still resting. So I took the kids to the shul next door and we practice reading from the siddur. Ezra is still on the letters, but Elisheva is starting to read with vowels.

When we came back we took a front row seat and waited for the Rebbe's. He was assisted by his son and probably a great grandson to his special chair. They placed the giant silver menorah on a low silver tray in front of him. We grabbed a siddur and followed along -- apparently the rebbe's custom includes many Tehillim and other prayers in addition to standard siddurim. It was almost fifteen minutes until we sang Ma'oz Tzur, which the rebbe has his own Bostoner tune for.

The kids were very good even though it was hard for them to sit so still for so long. They were interested in the uniqueness of the moment, but that only lasts for so long. After we finished singing the Rebbe gave everyone a shekel of Chanukah gelt, including the kids and me.

Elisheva asked why I got Chanukah gelt?

I tried to explain that to the Bostoner Rebbe there was no difference between Abba, Ezra and Elisheva, we are all little children to the Bostoner

Sunday afternoon will be our own family Chanukah party.