Moritz Oppenheim - The Kindling of the Hanukkah Lights (1880)
- Title: The Kindling of the Hanukkah Lights (1880)
- Artist: Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1800–1882)
- Date: 1880
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 70 x 57 cm
- Location: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
- Credit: Gift of Sally H. Cramer, London, in memory of his brother Herbert
- Photo credit: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
"The Kindling of the Hanukkah Lights" is a poignant painting by Moritz Oppenheim, a pioneering figure in modern Jewish art. The painting portrays a Jewish family gathered around a Hanukkah menorah, capturing the intimate and nostalgic moment of kindling the festival lights. The scene is set in a domestic interior, with the warm glow of the candles illuminating the faces of the family members, evoking a sense of tradition, warmth, and continuity.
Oppenheim's work is notable for its realistic style and attention to detail, reflecting both the physical setting and the emotional resonance of the ritual. Born in Hanau, Germany, Oppenheim trained in Munich, Paris, and Rome, and his work is deeply rooted in his Jewish heritage. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Oppenheim did not convert to Christianity and instead focused on celebrating Jewish life and traditions in his art. The painting is part of a series that documents traditional Jewish family life, created during a period when many German Jews were assimilating or converting to Christianity. Oppenheim's commitment to depicting Jewish customs and identity makes this work a significant cultural and historical artifact.