Hanukkah menorah used as Wii sensor bar [update 1]
by Kyle Orland 
{ Dec 20th 2006 at 8:30AM }
When we heard that candles (indeed, any light source) could be used as a replacement for the Wii sensor bar, we go to thinking about how this information could be used during the candle-filled holiday of Hanukkah. After some quick experimentation, we found that a Hanukkah menorah makes for a pretty good Wii sensor bar, even if there are more than two candles.While Kwanzaa celebrators can probably point their remotes at their Kinaras with similar effect, Christian gamers with a Christmas tree near their entertainment center are out of luck.
Video confirmation of the Wii's miracle of lights is posted below for all you doubting Thomases out there.
[Update: changed the picture to one of a more traditional Hanukkah menorah.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ignatius @ Dec 20th 2006 8:42AM
As a funny side story, I went out into my living room and pointed at two Christmas lights. I could move around and select things on the Wii that was still in my room, over 15-20 feet away through a solid wall. Yay for Bluetooth. :D
doogie @ Dec 20th 2006 8:40AM
This is not a menorah, a menorah requires more candles, there are 8 nights of hanukah and a ninth candle is also included as the 'worker'
marty @ Dec 20th 2006 8:54AM
A christmas tree works too, as long as the lights are on steady and not blink or chase!!!
Tom @ Dec 20th 2006 11:39AM
This is the video game equivalent of stoners bragging about things they made a bong out of...
Erwos @ Dec 20th 2006 9:55AM
Ah, yes, cue the Hebrew-language enthusiasts who will be telling us "it's not a menorah, it's a Chanukiah!"
arjun @ Dec 20th 2006 9:55AM
@1
are your retarded? the video clearly states that its the fifth night of hanukkah so only 5 candles are lit. plus he says its his menorah so... that kind of just shows your ingnorant sorry ass the door doesnt it?
Triforceowner @ Dec 20th 2006 10:27AM
Note to Joystiq:
Never, ever, ever, even mention religion, because people like doogie will be all over your back about it.
Author X @ Dec 20th 2006 1:23PM
It's funny, I did this too, just to show my friends and family that it can use other light sources. We had the menorah lit on a cabinet a few feet away from the TV, and it was the first (and again on the second) night, so it was perfect (our menorah isn't the iconic pronged kind, but we have the shamash on one side and start adding candles on the other, so there were two groups of lights about the same distance apart as the sensor bar's).
Also, *smacks doogie* It's nice that you're interested in my faith. However, and I can't stress this enough (not that it does any good on the internet), DON'T CORRECT PEOPLE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. It's only been five nights of Hanukkah, of course there's not nine candles.
ast @ Dec 20th 2006 1:36PM
@Author X
I assume that joystiq originally had a 6-branched menorah instead of the Hanukah-style 8-branch. Doogie was refering to this before it was updated to an 8-branch.
Ohh and a 'kosher' menorah only requires that the candles be level in a straight line with the Shamash higher up.
53mp @ Dec 20th 2006 3:00PM
i made an apple bong
spil @ Dec 20th 2006 2:43PM
"Hanukkah menorah used as Wii sensor bar"
As opposed to a Christmas or Ramadan menorah?
Cynders @ Dec 20th 2006 3:09PM
Catholics get an Advent Wreath. 4 candles -- one for each week leading up to Christmas.
ackmondual @ Dec 20th 2006 5:22PM
no1 is going to decry this as sacreligious? I'm impressed. Gamers of faith show practicality
sw33t @ Dec 20th 2006 4:58PM
It's not only that the "Hebrew-language enthusiasts" will be telling us "it's not a menorah, it's a Chanukiah!", it's also that the menorah was the 7-branched one that they had at the temple in Jerusalem, and the Chanukiah is the 9-branched one that is used for Hanukkah. Joystq, be carefull next time u use religious facts.
Grant @ Dec 20th 2006 5:40PM
OMGZ! NO WAY!
who ever wins this arguement, i want you to call your mom immediately and tell her, because i can assure you she is, in fact, the only one who will care.
ast @ Dec 20th 2006 5:42PM
@ackmondual
You raise a good point. There is a rule that you are not supposed to receive any benefit from the light of the candles. For instance in a dark room you should have a second light source and you shouldnt use them to warm you hands.
This does seem like drawing a use out of the candles. While I wouldnt call that sacriligious I would say that this lighting no longer satisfies the mitzvah (so you won't get credit for lighting them).
Ohh and the term "Hanukah menorah" is not redundant since there are other types of menorahs and the Hanukah one specifically refers to the 9 branch variety.
Judd @ Dec 21st 2006 2:30AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorah
While sw33t is right, the Chanukkiyah is what Jews light on Hannukkah, and a Menorah refers just to the seven branched candle holder, it's not a big deal. The story of Hanukkah involves the Menorah lasting eight days, that's why it was decided to make the Chanukkiyah with two more candle spots(the middle candle or "shamash" lights the others). They are two different things.
But in no way am I offended by people thinking it's a menorah. Most Jews I know don't even know that it's called a Chanukkiyah, so I wouldn't expect anybody else to know either. If somebody makes a big deal about the little things their argument for important matters aren't as valid. You gotta pick your battles, especially when it comes to being
1. Jewish 2. Message Board Commentator, because in both cases there are PLENTY of arguments to get into.
ForbidenMaster @ Dec 21st 2006 5:19AM
@ast
While true, that is where the Shamish (worker) candle comes in. To circumvent sin, the Shamish is lit so that if it ever came to a point where one would use the light of the Chanukia, you would not have to and instead be using the light of the Shamish. Also to keep it separate it is put on a different plane (ie: height) then the rest of the candles.
Erwos @ Dec 21st 2006 9:49AM
@ #18:
The Shammas doesn't work if you're deriving benefit from a specific candle. It's only a legal hack to allow more generalized benefit from the light. The Wii requires at least two distinct light sources.
And, yes, #13, I know the difference (4 years of yeshiva does that!). I was more making a joke about the folks who can't get over themselves when making the corrections - if you say "Chanukah menorah" or just "menorah" at Chanukah time, people generally know you're not talking about the one that was in the temple.