December 28, 2005
Not Quite Understanding the Miracle
filed under: DadditudesMax enjoys Chanukah a great deal, partially because - in the catbird seat of the mixed-faith child - he gets presents for eight nights AND Christmas morning, and partially because he likes the prayer and the candles.
That is not to say, however, that he entirely gets it.
Since the only celebratory ritual in Max's repertoire that involves candles is birthdays, he cheers lustily for Chanukah, watches in reverent awe as the candles are lit, and then throws himself at them shouting "I BLOW 'EM OUT!"
We've convinced him that this would violate something vital to the spirit of the holiday, and he'll grudgingly go along with it, but we have to keep a careful watch. It's not unusual to see him creeping up on the menorah, going "Fffffffffffff!" at it, when he thinks we're not looking.
True that this intention is a flagrant violation of the miracle of lights lasting, but the one good thing about Max's intention to blow the candles out is that his "Fffffffff" is not particularly useful for blowing out candles! Since he hasn't yet figured out how to make his mouth a "small o" and direct the air in front on him, the candles seem fairly safe. If one says "Ffffffff" (even with Fffervor) only the tiniest breath moves forward toward any possible flame in the vicinity.
In fact, one wonders how the birthday blowing out works at all! (Help, possibly, from birthday fairies or hovering parents.)
Happy Hanukkah!
Posted by: Procrastimom at December 29, 2005 10:35 AManyone concerned that the boy runs willy nilly toward open flame? "fffffft" turns to "yaaahhh!" in a hurry. and check your smoke detectors.
Fireman Dave