Jessie Taylor
The tradition of placing candles on a birthday cake is a widely recognised custom, but it is not a Jewish one. In fact, the custom is believed to have originated in ancient Greece, where people would light candles to honour the moon goddess, Artemis. As a result, some Jewish people believe that the tradition of lighting birthday candles should be avoided. However, others argue that the candles are lit to celebrate life and health, with an extra candle included to represent the upcoming year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | One extra than the celebrant's age |
| Symbolism of candles | A prayer for a full life |
| Blowing out candles | Not a Jewish custom, stems from ancient pagan customs |
| Origin of birthday candles | Greek ritual to find favor with the moon goddess, Artemis |
| Alternative ways to blow out candles | Sneezing, saying "shhhh", or using one's breath without blowing |
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What You'll Learn
- The custom of putting candles on a birthday cake is believed to have originated from a Greek ritual
- Some believe that the custom of birthday candles is forbidden in Judaism as it stems from avoda zara practices
- The number of candles on a birthday cake corresponding to the celebrant's age is not a Jewish custom
- The act of blowing out birthday candles is considered a test of breath and an expression of self-control
- The custom of lighting birthday candles may symbolise a prayer for life and health
The custom of putting candles on a birthday cake is believed to have originated from a Greek ritual
The custom of placing candles on a birthday cake is indeed believed to have originated from a Greek ritual. The ancient Greeks placed candles on round, moon-shaped cakes as offerings to Artemis, the goddess of the moon and the hunt. The cakes symbolised the moon, and the candles placed on top were meant to mimic the moon's gentle glow. The Greeks believed that the smoke from the candles carried their prayers to the heavens.
This ritual was also observed by the Romans, who adopted many Greek customs, including the tradition of candle-lit cakes. During celebrations in honour of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, Romans would place candles on round cakes to mimic the radiance of the moon.
Over time, the ritual of placing candles on cakes evolved from a religious offering to a celebratory delicacy. By the Middle Ages, Europeans, particularly the Germans, had adopted this tradition, infusing it with their own customs. The birthday cake, as we recognise it today, began to take shape, becoming a central emblem of birthday festivities.
The number of candles placed on the cake often corresponded to the age of the celebrant, with each candle representing a year of life. The lighting of the candles became a ceremonial act, symbolising the illumination of knowledge and wisdom as individuals grew older. Additionally, the candles served a practical purpose, providing illumination and creating a festive ambiance during birthday celebrations held after dark.
Today, the tradition of placing candles on a birthday cake is widespread and holds symbolic significance for many people. The act of blowing out the candles is believed to represent a hopeful look towards the future, with the smoke carrying wishes and prayers for the year ahead. While the custom has evolved, the underlying symbolism of joy, life, and the passage of time remains integral to birthday celebrations.
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Some believe that the custom of birthday candles is forbidden in Judaism as it stems from avoda zara practices
The custom of placing candles on a birthday cake and blowing them out is believed to have originated from an ancient Greek ritual. In Greek times, people would make round cakes and light candles on top to symbolise the full moon and its light, respectively. They would then ask the moon goddess, Artemis, to grant their requests. As such, some believe that the practice of birthday candles stems from avoda zara (pagan) practices and is, therefore, forbidden in Judaism.
According to Rabbi Eli Mansour, quoting Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, the entire concept of "birthday candles" originates from ancient pagan customs and should be avoided. Additionally, some sources suggest that the act of blowing out candles is not inherently Jewish, as it may be similar to a Christian practice performed in churches. The number of candles corresponding to the celebrant's age is also not a Jewish custom.
However, others argue that the intention behind the birthday candles is different, and they are lit to celebrate life and health. Some also place an extra candle to symbolise the upcoming year, representing a prayer for it to be fully lived. The act of blowing out the candles can be seen as a test of breath control and self-discipline, which are important qualities for health and happiness.
While the custom of birthday candles may have non-Jewish origins, some question whether that alone is a sufficient reason to avoid the practice. The intention behind the act is also considered, and some suggest that as long as it is not done with the intention of worship, it may not be considered avoda zara. There are also alternative methods suggested to extinguish the candles without blowing, such as dipping them in wine or saying "PPurim-PPesach" until they go out.
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The number of candles on a birthday cake corresponding to the celebrant's age is not a Jewish custom
The custom of putting candles on a birthday cake that correspond to the celebrant's age is not a Jewish tradition. In fact, the practice is believed to have originated from ancient pagan customs.
According to Rabbi Eli Mansour, quoting Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, the custom of "birthday candles" should be avoided altogether. In Greek times, people on their birthdays would try to find favour in the eyes of the moon goddess, Artemis. They would make round cakes to symbolise the full moon and light candles on top to represent the moon's light. They would then ask the moon goddess to grant their wishes.
The act of blowing out birthday candles and making a wish is considered strange to Orthodox Jews, as it resembles a form of worship. There is even a halachic prohibition called "Ubchokoseihem Lo Teleichu", which instructs Jews not to follow the ways of other cultures.
Some Jews choose to put an extra candle on the cake, representing a prayer for the upcoming year to be fully lived. However, this is done in addition to the number of candles representing the person's age, and it is not a universally accepted practice.
Therefore, while Jews may choose to have a birthday cake, the tradition of putting candles on the cake corresponding to the celebrant's age is not a Jewish custom and is generally discouraged by religious authorities.
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The act of blowing out birthday candles is considered a test of breath and an expression of self-control
The act of blowing out birthday candles is steeped in tradition and holds symbolic significance in many cultures. In Judaism, the practice of extinguishing candles on a birthday cake is imbued with a unique interpretation. This act is regarded as a symbolic test of one's breath and, by extension, a demonstration of self-control and mastery over one's desires and impulses.
This interpretation stems from the belief that breath is intimately connected to an individual's spirit and soul. In the Jewish tradition, the breath is considered sacred, as it is believed to be a gift from God, imparted to humans at birth, and returned upon death. Thus, the act of blowing out birthday candles becomes a symbolic ritual that extends beyond mere celebration.
By extinguishing the candles with a single breath, the individual is symbolically demonstrating their ability to harness and control their breath. This act reflects a deeper expression of self-discipline and the ability to govern one's desires and impulses. It signifies a moment of introspection and self-evaluation, encouraging individuals to reflect on their ability to maintain composure and restraint.
Furthermore, the act of blowing out birthday candles can also be seen as a symbolic release and letting go of the past year, with the breath representing a cleansing and purifying force. This ritualistic act serves as a reminder to leave behind any negativity or shortcomings of the previous year and to embrace the new year with renewed self-control and spiritual focus.
In conclusion, the seemingly simple act of blowing out birthday candles in Judaism carries a profound symbolic weight. It transforms a celebratory moment into an opportunity for personal reflection and spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of breath and the expression of self-control within the Jewish cultural context.
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The custom of lighting birthday candles may symbolise a prayer for life and health
The custom of placing candles on birthday cakes is not a Jewish tradition and is believed to have originated from ancient pagan customs. In ancient Greece, people lit candles on round cakes to honour the moon goddess, Artemis, and ask her to fulfil their wishes.
However, some people light birthday candles to celebrate life and health. Symbolically, one may put an extra candle on the cake, so there is one candle for each year lived and one for the upcoming year, expressing a prayer for a full life ahead. The act of blowing out the candles can be seen as a test of breath, indicating health and self-control, which are important qualities for happiness.
Lighting candles is often associated with prayer and bringing light to our wishes and desires. People of the Christian faith believe that lighting a candle symbolises the light of Christ. Similarly, in Judaism, lighting a candle may be accompanied by a prayer for divine guidance, blessing, healing, or protection. For instance, a prayer before lighting a candle may be:
> "Father in heaven, the light of Jesus has dispersed the darkness of hatred and sin. Accept this candle and let the light of your truth guide me to your kingdom. Inflame my heart with your grace, keep me in the radiance of your truth, and fill my heart with your divine love."
Another example of a prayer for lighting a candle is:
> "Lord, may this candle be a light for you to enlighten me in my decisions, and may it be a fire for you to purify me from all pride and selfishness. May it be a flame for you to build warmth into my heart towards my family, my neighbours, and all those who meet me."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the practice of putting candles on a birthday cake and blowing them out may stem from ancient Greek pagan customs.
In ancient Greece, people would bake round cakes to symbolise the full moon and light candles on top to symbolise the moon's light. They would then ask the moon goddess, Artemis, to grant their wishes.
Some Jewish sources advise against the practice of putting birthday candles on cakes and blowing them out, as it is believed to originate from non-Jewish customs. However, others argue that lighting candles symbolises life and health and that an extra candle may be added to represent the upcoming year.
According to Rabbi Eli Mansour, quoting Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, the custom of putting birthday candles on cakes should be avoided as it stems from non-Jewish traditions.
While the custom of birthday candles may be controversial, there are other ways to celebrate a birthday within the Jewish tradition. For example, some Jews may choose to recite special blessings or prayers, give charity in honour of the occasion, or host a festive meal without candles.
