GRAV creates affordable, functional, and often novel pipes everyone can enjoy. One of the most striking pieces in the GRAV collection is the Menorah. The Menorah Bong is an eight-bowled horizontal chamber bong with eight separate downstems that lead to a single mouthpiece. There's nothing else like it, and in this post, we discuss the fascinating origin of GRAV's glass menorah and how the company's redesign brought it to consumer availability.
Some Background on Hanukkah and Menorahs
Traditionally, a menorah is a candle holder used during the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was reclaimed from the Syrian Greeks in the second century BC. The holiday is celebrated by lighting a unique nine-branched candelabra, a menorah, for eight nights and days.
Hanukkah also marks the miraculous survival of a small amount of oil that kept the Temple's menorah candelabra, the only source of light at night, burning for eight days when it was only supposed to last for one. In addition, the holiday is typically celebrated with special prayers, songs, and traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot.
Fast forward to modern times, and the Menorah has taken on many new forms, including a glass bong. This unique creation was dreamed up by the founder of GRAV, Dave Daily. The Menorah bong has long been an iconic pipe that only can be found from GRAV. However, with that status comes many questions about how such a bong was even created.
The History of The Menorah Candelabra
But before we dive into the interview, let's talk a little about what a menorah is. In case you didn't know, a menorah is a candelabrum with seven or nine branches used in the Jewish tradition to hold candles. It's often associated with the holiday of Hanukkah, which is a time of celebration and joy.
The Menorah has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient times. In the past, menorahs were made of various materials, including gold, silver, and bronze. They were often intricately designed and decorated with intricate details. Some ancient menorahs were even made out of precious stones and were considered to be works of art.
The Menorah is a nine-branched candelabra that is an important symbol in Judaism. For example, it is traditionally used during the holiday of Hanukkah to hold the candles lit each night of the holiday. The Menorah has a long history, dating back to ancient times.
In the past, menorahs were made of various materials, including gold, silver, and bronze. They were often intricately designed and decorated with intricate details. Some ancient menorahs were even made out of precious stones and were considered to be works of art.
Today, modern menorahs are often made out of a variety of materials, including glass, metal, and even plastic. They come in various styles and designs, making it easy for people to find one that fits their aesthetic. Some modern menorahs are even designed to be used with electric candles, making it easier to light the Menorah each night of Hanukkah.
Despite the changes to the materials and design of menorahs over time, their importance as a symbol of Judaism remains the same. They are still used to holding the candles lit each night of Hanukkah, and they continue to be an essential part of the holiday tradition.
Parts of a Menorah
The Menorah has several parts, each of which serves a specific purpose.The Menorah's base is the part that holds the entire structure up. It is typically made from sturdy material, such as metal or wood, and is designed to support the weight of the Menorah. The base of the Menorah is often decorated with intricate details and designs.
The stem of the Menorah is the part that connects the base to the branches. Therefore, the stem is an integral part of the Menorah because it holds the branches in place.
The branches of the Menorah are the nine arms that hold the candles. Each branch is the same length and is evenly spaced around the stem of the Menorah.
The candles are placed in the branches of the Menorah. Each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, starting with the shamash or helper candle used to light the other candles. The candles are typically made of wax and specially designed to fit in the Menorah's branches.
The Menorah's base, stem, and branches are usually crafted from the same material, but some feature a combination of metal, wood, or glass. In addition, each component of a menorah may have intricate details or carvings.
The Origin of the Menorah Bong
So, where did the idea to create a bong in the shape of a menorah come from? According to Dave, he had the idea to make a unique bong for his family's annual holiday gathering. They typically celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, and he decided to attempt making a Menorah-shaped bong with his friend Charlie Glass. Charlie is an experienced glass artist specializing in more extensive and complex bong builds.
Over a weekend, the Menorah took form as eight custom downstems, bowls, and nine joints were fashioned and attached to the body. The massive stabilizing base was attached last, and the first Menorah Bong was created.
Over the holiday gathering, Dave surprised his friends and family with the massive creation, and they all marveled at its beauty as it was set up with candle holders and nine candles. The group was stunned to discover that the Menorah was also a fully functional water pipe and that each person could light their fresh green bowl.
The Redesign of the Menorah Bong
But the story doesn't end there. GRAV's glass menorah bong was not initially available to consumers. It was only after the company's redesign that the bong was made available to the public. This is because the original bong was too large to ship safely to customers.
The Menorah bong redesign involved reducing the bong and reinforcing it in many ways. The size was cut from two feet down to one, and the thickness of the glass was upgraded. In addition, the Mouthpiece was redesigned to be more comfortable, and the bong's base was solid and thick.
The most challenging aspect of the redesign was fitting all eight bowls on a smaller version of the piece while still achieving equal spacing and functionality. As a result, the overall build is a more compact and durable bong that still hits and looks like the original.
Each year we only make about a hundred Menorah bongs, which marks a particular time when we hope our efforts to create magical and original pipes help brighten people's lives and improve their smoke sessions. Get your own Menorah bong here while you can!
