Maddie James
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, a small army of Jews, over the oppressive Seleucid army. The festival is marked by lighting candles on a menorah, with one candle for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by blessings and songs. Hanukkah music, or Chanukah music, includes traditional folk songs, such as Chanukah, Chanukah, and Oh Chanukah, as well as more modern songs like The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler and (I'm Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica by Tom Lehrer. One of the most well-known songs is Ocho Kandelikas or Eight Little Candles, composed by Flory Jagoda and sung in Ladino.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song name | "How Many Candles" |
| Other names | "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), "Candles Burning Brightly" |
| Writer | Flory Jagoda |
| Year | 1983 |
| Language | Ladino |
| Translation | I have a candle, I have a small thin candle. On Hanukkah, my candle I will light. On Hanukkah, my candle will glow. On Hanukkah, I will sing songs. |
| Other notable Hanukkah songs | "The Chanukah Song", "Eight Days of Hanukkah", "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), "Oh, Hanukkah", "Chanukah, Chanukah", "Light One Candle", "Hanukkah in Santa Monica" |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The meaning of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday. It is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world and is a major cultural event, especially in North America. The holiday usually falls in November or December, and the dates change each year according to the lunisolar calendar.
The name Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew word for "dedication", as the holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem. In 165 BC, the Jewish people drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem and regained control of the city. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days and providing light while the temple was restored.
The spiritual significance of Hanukkah is that Jewish people today take time during the holiday to reflect on their faith and rededicate themselves, in the same way that their ancestors did over two thousand years ago. Hanukkah is celebrated with a variety of traditions, including lighting the menorah, saying blessings, exchanging gifts, and eating fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot.
Hanukkah is also celebrated with music and songs, such as the popular "Chanukah Song" by Adam Sandler, which lists Jewish celebrities, and Light One Candle, written by Peter Yarrow. There are also traditional folk songs like "Chanukah, Chanukah", with origins in Israel, and "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), written by Flory Jagoda.
Streaming John Hughes' Sixteen Candles: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The miracle of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, is all about olive oil. The miracle of Hanukkah revolves around a small quantity of oil that was used to light the Temple's menorah and miraculously burned for eight days during the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt. Hanukkah commemorates this event, and traditional menorahs use oil rather than candles.
The miracle of the first night of Hanukkah has been a topic of discussion and debate. Some believe that the miracle was that the Maccabees found a single drop of ritually pure oil after the lengthy Greek occupation and desecration of the sanctuary. Others suggest that the miracle was that Judah and his followers had the courage to light the menorah despite the lack of resources, believing that the light would somehow sustain for an additional week.
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Temple Beth El in Stamford, Connecticut, reflects on the miracle of Hanukkah's final seven nights, stating that it revolves around the resilient few ounces of oil. He also highlights the enduring presence of the Jewish people, who continue to joyously celebrate Hanukkah after 2,000 years.
The Talmudic explanation of the miracle of Hanukkah in the Tractate Shabbat appears as an afterthought amidst a discussion of appropriate wicks and oils for Sabbath lights. The rabbis debate the details of the Hanukkah ritual, pursuing a definite agenda. Their spiritual goal is to publicize the miracle of the oil (in Aramaic, "pirsumay nisa"). They emphasize the importance of kindling the Hanukkah lights to commemorate the miracle, even suggesting that it takes precedence over reciting Kiddush over wine on the Sabbath.
To publicize the miracle effectively, the rabbis mandate that the Hanukkah lights not be used for any other purpose, ensuring they are solely for publicizing the miracle. They recommend lighting an additional helper light, called the shamash, to provide illumination for other activities. The rabbis also considered olive oil to be the choicest option for the Hanukkah lights, as it produces a clearer and brighter light, making the miracle more visible and impactful.
Bedrock Edition: Candles or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The number of candles
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is celebrated with songs, dances, and, of course, the lighting of candles. The number of candles lit during Hanukkah holds a special significance, and this is reflected in the lyrics of several songs associated with the festival.
The festival commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a small army of Jews, over the oppressive Seleucid army, and the subsequent miracle that occurred when there was only enough oil to light the Temple's lamp for one day, but it ended up lasting eight days. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days, and each night, a candle is lit, adding to the glow until all eight candles are burning brightly on the final night.
The song "Eight Little Candles" or "Ocho Kandelikas" in Ladino, composed by Flory Jagoda, captures this tradition of lighting one candle each night. The lyrics "Eight little candles in a row, waiting to join the holiday glow. We will light them one by one, until all eight have joined the fun" directly refer to the custom of progressively lighting the candles, filling "the world with holiday light".
Another song, "Oh, Hanukkah", also acknowledges the lighting of the candles: "Oh Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah". The menorah, a special candleholder, holds one candle for each night of Hanukkah, and the lighting of these candles is a beloved tradition among Israeli children celebrating the festival.
Through these songs, the lighting of the candles, and the celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish people remember their history and proudly continue their heritage.
Colonial Candles: Dripless and Mess-Free?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The blessings
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, a small army of Jews, over the oppressive Seleucid army. The festival commemorates the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees reclaimed Jerusalem and their Holy Temple. When they went to light the Temple's sanctuary lamp, there was only enough oil to last one day, but it lasted for eight days.
The festival of Hanukkah is marked by the lighting of candles on a menorah, with one candle lit on each of the eight nights. This tradition is reflected in many Hanukkah songs, including "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), a Ladino song written by Flory Jagoda in 1983. The song celebrates the holiday of Hanukkah and the lighting of the candles:
> I have a candle, I have a small thin candle
> On Hanukkah, my candle I will light.
> On Hanukkah, my candle will glow
> On Hanukkah I will sing songs.
Another song that directly references the lighting of the candles is "Oh, Hanukkah", which includes the lyrics:
> Oh Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah,
> Let's have a party, we'll all dance the Hora,
> Gather round the table, I'll give you a treat,
> S'vivon (dreidels) to play with, and latkes to eat.
>
> And while we are playing,
> The candles are burning bright,
> One for each night, they shed a sweet light,
> To remind us of days long ago.
"Chanukah, Chanukah", a traditional folk song with origins in Israel, also mentions the lighting of the candles and the joy of the holiday:
> Chanukah, Chanukah, Chag yafeh kol kach
> Or chaviv, misaviv, Gil leyeled rach.
> Chanukah, Chanukah, Sevivon sov sov
> Sov sov sov, sov sov sov, Mah na'im vatov.
>
> [...]
>
> Chanukah, Chanukah, What a lovely holiday!
> Cheerful lights around us shine,
> Children have fun and play.
In addition to these songs, there are three traditional blessings that are sung during the lighting of the menorah on Hanukkah. The popular tune for these blessings was composed by Samuel E. Goldfarb and his brother Israel Goldfarb in the early 20th century. The third blessing, "shehecheyanu", is only sung on the first night. After the two or three blessings are recited, "Hanerot Halalu" is chanted. While the specific blessings were not found in the sources, it is clear that they are an important part of the Hanukkah tradition and are typically sung before the popular Hanukkah song "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages").
Sonoma Candles: Are They Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The different songs about Hanukkah
Hanukkah is celebrated with a variety of songs, from traditional Hebrew tunes to contemporary pop parodies. Here are some of the most popular songs that are played and sung during the Festival of Lights:
"I Have a Little Dreidel"
This playful and upbeat song is one of the most well-known Hanukkah songs in the English-speaking world. The song is about making and playing with a dreidel, a spinning top. The English version is based on the traditional Yiddish song "Oy Chanukah", and it has become a beloved children's song during the holiday.
"Mi Y'malel" ("Who Can Retell")
"Mi Y'malel", or "Mi Yimalel", is a popular Hebrew Hanukkah song with a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2. The opening line, "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel", sets the tone for a song that celebrates the miracles and history of the Jewish people.
"Sevivon" or "S'vivon"
"Sevivon" is a Hebrew song that translates to "dreidel", and it is a very popular song in Israel and among Hebrew speakers. The song is about the joy and excitement of playing with a dreidel during Hanukkah.
"The Chanukah Song"
Comedian Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" and its many sequels have become modern classics. The song lists Jewish celebrities to bring joy and a sense of inclusion to Jewish children during the Christmas season. It has become a staple on radio stations during the winter holidays.
"Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah"
"Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" is a beloved Hanukkah song that was originally written in Yiddish. It has been covered by various artists, including Erran Baron Cohen, and has become a staple of the holiday season.
"Light One Candle"
"Light One Candle" is a powerful and emotional Hanukkah song that builds to a crescendo of "don't let the light go out!". The song serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping the spirit of Hanukkah alive and passing it on to future generations.
In addition to these popular songs, there are many other Hanukkah tunes, ranging from traditional Hebrew hymns like "Ma'oz Tzur" to contemporary parodies like "Hanukkah Hey Ya" by Eric Schwartz and "Puppy for Hanukkah" by Daveed Diggs. Hanukkah music encompasses a wide range of styles, from bluesy rock to rap, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy during the Festival of Lights.
Citronella Candles: Do They Lose Their Potency Over Time?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some songs about candles that are sung during Hanukkah include "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), "Oh Hanukkah", "Oh, Channukah", "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), "Light One Candle", "Candles Burning Brightly", and "Nine Little Candles in my Hanukkah Light".
The number of candles referenced in Hanukkah songs, typically eight, holds religious significance. Israeli children celebrate Hanukkah with a menorah, which holds one candle for each of the eight nights of the holiday. This commemorates the miracle of a small army of Jews, the Maccabees, reclaiming Jerusalem and their Holy Temple. When they went to light the Temple's sanctuary lamp, there was only enough oil for one day, but it lasted for eight.
The lyrics to "Ocho Kandelikas", or "Eight Little Candles" in English, are:
> Eight little candles, eight little lights
> Let's say the blessing, they shine so bright
> We're going to play now, spin the dreidel
> And when we win, we get a treat
The lyrics to "Nine Little Candles in my Hanukkah Light" are:
> Nine little candles in my Hanukkah light,
> Burning brightly throughout the night.
> But one little candle is taller than the rest,
> We call that candle the Sha-a-mash.
> We light the candles one by one,
> We play with dreidels and have some fun.
Yes, the song "Nine Little Candles in my Hanukkah Light" mentions Judah Maccabbee and his glory:
> We dance the hora and tell the story,
> Of Judah Maccabbee and his glory
