Letter on the Wind: A Chanukah TaleA retelling of a Jewish folkale reminds readers of the first Chanukah and of Mattathias's bravery in protecting his faith. Once in a far-off village there nearly was a year without Chanukah. The withering olive trees produced to olives for oil, and without oil there would be no lights for the menorahs. Hayim, the poorest man in the village, said to himself, "We cannot have a year without Chanukah. I will ask the Almighty for help." Despite mockery and laughter from the villagers, Hayim asks the local scribe to write a letter to the Almighty. In it, Hayim prays for oil to light the town's menorahs. The poor man takes his letter to the highest hill and sends it off on the strongest breeze. Hayim's prayers are answered, and the villagers can celebrate Chanukah but many in the town are convinced that Hayim is a thief. Neil Waldman's lyrical illustrations complement Sarah Marwil Lamstein's elegant text in this Sydney Taylor Honor Book." |
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Almighty answered Award bade base basin bit of oil Book bowl BOYDS MILLS PRESS breeze call me thief celebrate Chanukah clay climbed the highest cried danced darkness desert valleys Despite door dust eight eyes faith far-off village figs flour and sugar Follow the camels followed gasped gathered gift grew hand Happy Chanukah Hayim a thief Hayim asked Hayim followed Hayim lit Hayim wondered Hayim's hut higher highest hill hurried illustrations jewels Jewish king light the menorahs lives long-ago miracle man's name marketplace and called menorahs flickering merchant morning name is etched night of Chanukah oil to light olive olive oil parchment poor poorest quickly rain saw the tiny scribe servant silver sing steady straight stranger strong Thank thought Hayim tiny lights trees trough village lit waited whisper wicks wide wind withered worried write a letter young adult