[Avodah] Unusual Chanukah Minhag?

[Arie Folger]

RSW asked:
> At hadlakas neiros, a crowd gathered, holding towels,
> around the madlik and the menorah. As he is about to
> start lighting, everyone throws the towels at him and the
> menorah.
><SNIP>
> 1- Is anyone familiar with this minhag and who it is practiced by?

Yes, Chassidim practice this. They would throw the towel on the
shamash (the person). My late father opposed this practice, so one
year, in the Pzsworzke Stiebl in Antwerp, he collected all the towels
and hid them, so that the only towel left in the house was the
rebbe's, Reb Itzikl. So, R'Itzikl took his own towel, and personally
threw it on the shamash.

Unfortunately, I cannot help you with either sources or a rational. I
understand Jeckische Minhoggim a lot better. ;-)

KT,
-- 
Arie Folger,
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