Chloe Adams
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that involves the lighting of candles. The ritual of lighting the menorah is central to the celebration of Hanukkah, with Jews lighting one candle on the first day, another on the second, and so on, until all eight candles are lit on the final night. The ninth candle, known as the shamash, is used to light the other eight. Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white are often chosen as they are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. The lighting of the menorah symbolises the miracle of the oil that occurred over two thousand years ago, when a small amount of oil kept the menorah in the temple in Jerusalem lit for eight days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hanukkah candles, nerot (Hebrew) |
| Color | Any color, blue and white |
| Time of lighting | Nightfall, or at any time of night |
| Number of candles | Eight, plus one helper candle (shamash) |
| Number of nights | Eight |
| Type of lamp | Menorah, Chanukiah, candelabra |
| Type of light | Candles or oil lamps |
| Ritual | Candles are lit from left to right |
| Location | Ideally placed in a window or near a door |
| Other rituals | Singing songs, playing dreidel, eating fried foods |
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What You'll Learn
- Hanukkah candles are lit at nightfall, but can be lit at any time at night
- The shamash candle is placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight main candles
- Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white are associated with Judaism
- Fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle involving oil
- Public candle-lighting ceremonies embody the idea of lighting the darkness of the world with light
Hanukkah candles are lit at nightfall, but can be lit at any time at night
Hanukkah is a rabbinically ordained holiday, and the lighting of candles is a central ritual of the celebration. The holiday is also called the Festival of Lights, and Jews light candles to commemorate a miracle involving oil that took place in the second century B.C.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, and the ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. On the first night of Hanukkah, one light is lit on the right side of the menorah. On the following night, a second light is placed to the left of the first but is lit first, and so on, until all eight branches are lit on the final night.
Hanukkah candles are ideally lit at nightfall, which in Jewish tradition is defined as the moment when three stars appear. However, they can also be lit at any time during the night. In recent years, some Jewish communities have held public candle-lighting ceremonies to embody "the idea of lighting the darkness of the world around us with the light of God and the light of Torah".
The candles used during Hanukkah can be any colour, but some people prefer to buy blue and white candles, as these colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. Other popular options include handmade candles in gorgeous jewel tones, which can add a decorative touch to the celebration.
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The shamash candle is placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight main candles
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah tradition. The shamash, or "helper" candle, is used to light the other eight candles of the Hanukkah menorah. It is placed on a separate branch of the menorah, either higher or lower than the other candles, to distinguish it from the rest. This placement is meant to symbolise that the shamash is an "attendant" or "servant" to the other candles, and it is not one of the eight candles that represent the eight nights of Hanukkah.
While the shamash candle is typically placed at a different height than the other eight candles, it is not a strict requirement. The main requirement is that the shamash should be positioned in a way that clearly separates it from the other candles. This can be done by placing it at a different height, setting it to the side, or positioning it in front of or behind the other candles.
The shamash candle is usually lit first, and then used to light the other eight candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, the first candle is placed on the right side of the menorah, and on each subsequent night, an additional candle is placed to the left of the previous night's candle. The candles are then lit from left to right, with the newest candle being lit first.
The shamash candle holds a special significance in the Hanukkah tradition. Even though it is not one of the eight candles that represent the holiday, it is still important because it enables the other candles to be lit and fulfil their purpose. This can be seen as a lesson in service and humility, as the shamash candle "serves" the other candles without being more or less important.
The shamash candle also serves a practical purpose. Since it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah candles for any practical reason, the shamash candle is used as a helper candle in case extra light is needed. This way, the sanctity of the mitzvah lights is preserved.
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Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white are associated with Judaism
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a rabbinically ordained holiday. The lighting of candles is a central ritual of the celebration. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday. Each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The colours blue and white are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and Judaism. Many families decorate their homes in these colours and display their menorahs in a significant place. However, Hanukkah candles can be any colour. Some people prefer to buy coloured candles for aesthetic appeal, as part of the principle in Judaism called hiddur mitzvah, which is about making the ritual obligation beautiful.
There are many options available when it comes to choosing Hanukkah candles. Basic Hanukkah candles are an affordable option, while handmade candles offer a more decorative choice. Safed Candles, for example, are hand-dipped in the holy city of Safed (Tzfat) and come in a range of gorgeous jewel tones.
In recent years, some Jewish sects have held public candle-lighting ceremonies, embodying "the idea of lighting the darkness of the world around us with the light of God and the light of Torah".
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Fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle involving oil
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in 165 BCE. It is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which falls between November 28 and December 27 in the Gregorian calendar.
The miracle of the oil is widely regarded as a legend, and it is said that a small quantity of oil for the Temple's menorah miraculously lasted eight days. According to the story, the Maccabees, a group of pious Jews, led a revolt that defeated the powerful Hellenist imperial army, which had mandated pagan rituals into Jewish life and desecrated the Jews' temple. When they rededicated the Temple, they found only enough consecrated olive oil to keep the temple lamp burning for a single day. However, by the time a messenger returned with more oil eight days later, the lamp was still burning.
To commemorate this miracle, Jews cook with oil during Hanukkah. Fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and Sephardic bimuelos are traditionally eaten during the holiday. Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe popularized the frying of latkes, while Israeli sufganiyot and Polish ponchiks (filled with preserves) are also commonly consumed. Other fried treats include Italian pumpkin fritters and Middle Eastern loukamades-like sweet fritters.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, is another important tradition. The hanukkiyah is typically a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight branches representing the extra days the temple oil lasted and the ninth branch, called the shamash, used to light the other candles. On the first night, one light is placed on the right side of the hanukkiyah, and on each subsequent night, an additional candle is placed to the left of the previous night's candle. The candles are lit from left to right, and blessings are recited.
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Public candle-lighting ceremonies embody the idea of lighting the darkness of the world with light
The ceremonial use of candles and lights is prevalent across various religions and cultures, including Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Judaism. Public candle-lighting ceremonies are a powerful way to embody the idea of lighting the darkness of the world with light, bringing hope, remembrance, and celebration.
In Christianity, light is often seen as a symbol of Christ and God's divine presence, representing the purifying presence of God and the victory of good over evil. For instance, during Easter Eve, a new fire symbolises the light of the newly risen Christ, and from this fire, all the lights used throughout the Christian year are lit. In the Latin Church or Roman Catholic Church, the ceremonial use of lights can symbolise the light of God's presence or the conflict between the children of Light and the powers of darkness.
In Hinduism, Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". Zoroastrianism also holds fire as sacred, worshipping it as a visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness.
Memorial candle-lighting ceremonies, observed by people of various faiths, are a way to honour and remember loved ones, providing a sense of solace and connection. The lighting of candles in remembrance dates back to ancient times, and the warm glow of these flames symbolises hope, love, and the enduring spirit of those being mourned.
In Judaism, the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony, or Hanukkiyah, involves lighting candles shortly after dark on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. On the first night, one candle is lit on the right side of the menorah, with an additional candle added to its left on each subsequent night. The lighting of these candles, along with the recitation of blessings, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, illuminating the world and bringing people together in unity and hope.
Overall, public candle-lighting ceremonies, such as those observed in Hanukkah, serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring light that shines within us all, guiding us through darkness towards healing, peace, and a brighter future.
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Frequently asked questions
Hanukkah candles are candles that are lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. They are also called nerot in Hebrew. The candles are usually placed in a menorah, which is a type of candelabrum.
The Hanukkah candles symbolize the miracle of the oil that took place over two thousand years ago. After beating the Seleucids, the Jews returned to their temple in Jerusalem and found only one canister of ritually pure oil that would last for one day. However, the oil lasted for eight days, hence the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit on the right side of the menorah. On the following night, a second candle is placed to the left of the first but is lit first, and so on. By the final night, all eight candles are lit. The ninth candle, called the shamash, is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight and is used to light them.
The Hanukkah candles can be of any colour. Some people prefer to buy coloured candles for aesthetic appeal. Blue and white candles are also commonly used since those colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
