Photos: Naftoli Goldgrab & Lior Mizrahi
They began as humble oil containers made out of clay. But as the centuries passed, expert craftsmen turned the Chanukah menorah into a stunning work of art. During a recent visit to the home of Judaica collector Yaakov Hoffman, Mishpacha got a glimpse at intriguing menorahs that you probably won’t find in your local Judaica store.
Yaakov Hoffman doesn’t want to talk about himself — not even about when and why he became a collector of Judaica. We’re here to talk about Chanukah menorahs, he tells me. Period. Full stop. So don’t expect a story rich with Jewish geography: who married whom, who learned with whom, who went into business with whom, who has grandchildren who married the grandchildren of whom. The only yichus we’re going to talk about is the yichus of the stunning 14-karat gold Chanukah menorah sitting on his dining table, as well as a few other pieces in his collection.
Along the way, I will learn that Mr. Hoffman collects Judaica because he enjoys nice things — some of which are on display on the walls of his Jerusalem apartment, and some of which are sitting in the breakfront. (Needless to say, he employs various security systems.) For several decades he has been a visitor to world-class auction houses such as Sotheby’s, although private art dealers come to him too. And what perhaps delights him most is not to outbid every other bidder in the auction room, but to run across an item that is in some way unusual — perhaps even unique.
But again, we’re not here to talk about Mr. Hoffman. We’re here to talk about menorahs that are unusual. And one made from gold surely qualifies.
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