Brooke Martin
Candles are used in many religions, including Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Hinduism, and are often imbued with symbolic meaning. In Judaism, candles are lit during religious occasions, such as Shabbat, Chanukah, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot. They are also lit to commemorate the yahrzeit (the anniversary of a death) of loved ones. The use of candles in synagogues is a topic that has been discussed by various rabbis and Jewish congregations, with some offering different interpretations and practices regarding candle lighting rituals and blessings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasions for candle lighting | Before every Shabbat, during Chanukah, before major Jewish holidays (Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot), and on the yahrzeit (anniversary of a death) |
| Who lights the candles | In some synagogues, the parent of a child whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is the following Shabbat morning is invited to light the candles. In other cases, individuals may light their own candles, or a Jewish member of a family may be asked to light the candles. |
| Blessings | In some cases, blessings are said by those lighting the candles. In other cases, a communal blessing is said after the candles are lit. |
| Symbolism | Candles are equated with joy in Judaism, representing the human soul and serving as a reminder of the frailty and beauty of life. |
| History | The custom of lighting candles in synagogues began in Provence in the 12th century and later spread to other parts of the world. |
| Reasons | Reasons for lighting candles include remembering the miracle of the Temple, publicizing the miracle, and accommodating those who cannot light candles at home. |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles are lit during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight nights
- Candles are lit before major Jewish holidays, including Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover
- Candles are lit during Shabbat, at the beginning and end of the celebration
- The eternal flame, or Ner Tamid, is often electric in modern synagogues for safety reasons
- In some synagogues, families are invited to light candles and recite blessings
Candles are lit during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight nights
Candles are a common feature in Jewish religious practices, with candle lighting being a sacred ritual. They are used on a wide variety of religious occasions and are imbued with symbolic meaning. One such occasion is Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday commemorating the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight nights.
The story of Hanukkah dates back to around 2,200 years ago, when Jews were ruled by a tyrant king from Damascus who forced them to worship Greek gods. Jewish rebels fought for their freedom for three years and eventually reclaimed the holy temple in Jerusalem. To rededicate the temple, they needed ritually purified oil to light the menorah, but they could only find enough to last one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight nights, and by the end of this period, they had managed to make more oil and keep the eternal flame, or Ner Tamid, lit.
The miracle of the oil is one of the reasons for the celebration of Hanukkah. For eight days, Jews light candles on the Hanukiyah, a nine-branched candelabrum, to distinguish it from the seven-branch menorah in the Temple. The eight branches represent the extra days the temple oil lasted, and the ninth branch is for a shamash, or servant candle, used to light the others. Each night, a new light is added, culminating in all nine lights being lit on the final night.
The custom of lighting Hanukkah candles in synagogues began in Provence in the 12th century and later spread to other parts of the world, becoming a standard practice among Jewish communities. There are several reasons given for this custom, including remembering the miracle of the oil in the Temple, publicizing the miracle, and fulfilling the obligation of those who cannot light candles at home or have no place to light them.
The lighting of candles during Hanukkah serves as a symbolic reminder of the miracle that occurred centuries ago, keeping alive the memory of the Jewish struggle for freedom and the triumph of their faith.
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Candles are lit before major Jewish holidays, including Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover
Candles are a common feature of Jewish religious practices and are used on a wide variety of occasions. They are lit in Jewish homes or synagogues before sunset on Friday evenings, prior to every Shabbat. Candles are also lit before major Jewish holidays, including Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover.
Candles are lit before Rosh Hashanah, the first and last days of which are considered in Jewish tradition as "one long day". On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, the candle lighter should wear a new garment or have a new seasonal fruit on the table while lighting the candles.
Before Yom Kippur, a Yahrzeit candle is lit prior to the fast. This is a memorial candle, lit on the anniversary of the death of a loved one. The candle is left to burn out on its own over a full 24-hour period. The Yahrzeit candle is different from the Shiva candle, which is lit immediately following a death and burns for seven days.
The lighting of candles before Passover does not include the Shehecheyanu blessing. Passover is one of four annual Jewish holidays during which Yahrzeit candles are lit.
The act of lighting candles is a brachah shel mitzvah, referring to Jews being commanded to perform the act. In some synagogues, the parent of a child whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is the following Shabbat morning is invited to recite the blessing for lighting the candles at the Friday evening service. In other synagogues, anyone may light one or two of the many candles, and then the congregation says the blessing together.
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Candles are lit during Shabbat, at the beginning and end of the celebration
Candles are a common feature of Jewish religious practices and are used on a wide variety of occasions. They are often lit during Shabbat, the weekly day of rest and prayer, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. The lighting of candles marks the transition from profane to sacred time.
Shabbat is ushered in with the lighting of candles before sunset on Friday evening. This is usually done by the mother of the family, who lights two candles, recites a blessing, and then passes her hands over the flames, symbolically accepting Shabbat. In synagogues, the parent of a child whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is the following Shabbat morning may be invited to light the candles and recite the blessing.
At the end of Shabbat, a special braided candle called the Havdalah candle is lit. The candle, or fire, represents the first work of the new week. The Havdalah ceremony also involves blessings over wine and spices, and it marks the conclusion of the Shabbat.
Candles are also lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of a small flask of oil that lasted for eight days. The custom of lighting Hanukkah candles in synagogues began in Provence in the 12th century and has since spread throughout the Jewish world.
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The eternal flame, or Ner Tamid, is often electric in modern synagogues for safety reasons
Candles are deeply significant in Judaism, with symbolic meanings and uses on a wide variety of religious occasions. They are lit before every Shabbat in Jewish homes or synagogues before sunset on Friday evening. They are also lit on major holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot, and to commemorate the dead.
The eternal flame, or Ner Tamid, is a fixture in most synagogues, usually placed above the ark where the Torah scrolls are kept. This flame represents the original flame of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, in modern times, most synagogues opt for electric lamps instead of actual oil lamps or candles for safety reasons. This shift does not diminish the symbolic significance of the eternal flame, which is meant to signify the comforting message of God's presence among the Jewish people.
The use of electric lamps instead of open flames is a practical decision that balances the need for safety with the importance of maintaining the tradition of the eternal flame. This decision is especially relevant in the context of other candle-lighting traditions in synagogues. For example, during the festival of Hanukkah, candles are lit on the Chanukiyah each night to commemorate the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil lasting for eight nights. This tradition of lighting candles in synagogues has its roots in the 12th century, spreading from Provence to other parts of the world, and is considered a way to publicize the miracle associated with the festival.
While the use of electric lamps for the Ner Tamid may be a modern safety precaution, the act of lighting candles still holds great importance in synagogues. The lighting of candles is often a communal practice, with families invited to participate and recite blessings. This inclusivity extends to interfaith families, where non-Jewish family members are welcomed to offer their own blessings during candle-lighting rituals.
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In some synagogues, families are invited to light candles and recite blessings
Candles are a common feature in Jewish synagogues and homes, used on a variety of religious occasions and major holidays. They are often lit during services to mark the transition from profane to sacred time. In some synagogues, families are invited to light candles and recite blessings. This practice is usually observed before sunset on Friday evenings, prior to Shabbat.
At Congregation Rodeph Shalom, for example, families are invited to light candles and recite blessings together. They emphasise inclusivity, welcoming families of all backgrounds and religious statuses to participate in this tradition. This means that even if one parent or grandparent is not Jewish, they are still encouraged to take part in the candle-lighting ceremony. This approach is also seen at Or Shalom, where all are welcome to light candles and offer their blessings, either in traditional or self-created forms.
The act of lighting candles in synagogues is deeply symbolic in Judaism. The candle's flame is thought to represent the human soul, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life. This symbolism is derived from Proverbs 20:27, which states, "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." The lighting of candles is also associated with joy, as expressed in the biblical book of Esther (Esther 8:16).
In the case of interfaith families, the candle-lighting tradition may vary. Some synagogues invite the Jewish parent or grandparent to light the candles, while others allow anyone to light the candles and then recite a communal blessing together. This practice fosters inclusivity and ensures that all family members feel welcomed and honoured.
Additionally, the custom of lighting Hanukkah candles in synagogues, which began in the 12th century in Provence, holds significant meaning. It serves as a reminder of the miracle of the Temple, where a small amount of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. This tradition has since spread worldwide, and today, many Jewish communities light Hanukkah candles in synagogues without reciting blessings.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, candles are allowed in synagogues and are used for a variety of purposes.
Candles used in synagogues include Shabbat candles, the Havdalah candle, and the Chanukah candle.
Candles are lit in synagogues to symbolise joy, the human soul, and the transition from profane to sacred time. They are also lit to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days during the event that gave rise to the holiday of Hanukkah.
The person who lights the candle depends on the synagogue and the occasion. In some synagogues, anyone may light the candles, while others invite specific people, such as the parents or grandparents of a child whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is the following Shabbat morning.
