Ben Carter
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the defeat of the oppressive Seleucid army by a small army of Jews, the Maccabees, who reclaimed Jerusalem and their Holy Temple. The festival is celebrated with a menorah, which holds one candle for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. There are several songs associated with the festival, including Ma'oz Tzur or Rock of Ages, a 13th-century Jewish liturgical poem that celebrates how the Jews survived four enemies. Another song is Ocho Kandelikas or Eight Little Candles, composed by Flory Jagoda, which has had many versions made over the years. Other popular songs include Light One Candle, The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler, and Eight Days of Hanukka by Senator Orrin Hatch and Madeline Stone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song name | Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles) |
| Composer | Flory Jagoda |
| Year composed | 1983 |
| Language | Ladino |
| Tune | I'm a Little Teapot |
| Number of candles | 8 |
| Number of nights | 8 |
| Holiday | Hanukkah |
| Related customs | Lighting the hanukkiah (a menorah with eight branches) |
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What You'll Learn
'Ma'oz Tzur' or 'Rock of Ages' is sung after reciting the blessing for lighting the candles
Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Jews all around the world. The song Maoz Tzur, which translates to "Rock of Strength" in Hebrew, is sung after the lighting of the candles on the menorah each night. The English version of the song is titled "Rock of Ages", translated by Marcus Jastrow in the 19th century. The hymn is named for its Hebrew incipit, "Strong Rock (of my Salvation)", which is a name for God in Judaism.
The song is a Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut, written in the 12th or 13th century during the Crusades. It was originally sung at home, but has been used in synagogues since the 19th century. The poem consists of six stanzas, the first and last of which are written in the present tense. The four middle stanzas refer to the four persecutions of the Jewish people: The Exodus from Egypt, the end of the Babylonian captivity, escaping Haman's persecution in Persia, and the successful revolt against Greek rule in Syria during the Hasmonean period, which is commemorated by Hanukkah.
The first stanza expresses hope for the rebuilding of the Temple and the defeat of enemies. The final stanza calls for divine retribution against the enemies of the Jewish people. The term Admon, meaning "the red one", is thought to refer to the emperor, Friedrich Barbarossa, whose name means "Redbeard". This stanza may have been a later addition, passed down only through oral tradition.
The tune for the English version of the song is thought to have been borrowed from a German folk song or hymn. The Jewish form of the tune was first transcribed by Isaac Nathan, who set it to the poem "On Jordan's Banks" in Byron's "Hebrew Melodies" in 1815. The version commonly sung today is a collaboration between Marcus Jastrow and Gustav Gottheil, based on the German version by Leopold Stein.
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Flory Jagoda's 'Ocho Kandelikas' or 'Eight Little Candles'
"Ocho Kandelikas" or "Eight Little Candles" is a Ladino song about Hanukkah, written by the Jewish-American composer Flory Jagoda in 1983. Ladino is an old Spanish-derived language traditionally associated with the Sephardic Jewish community. The song is often performed in an Argentine tango rhythm with accompanying accordion and violins. The lyrics describe a child's joy when lighting the candles on the menorah.
Flory Jagoda was born in Sarajevo in 1923 and is known for her musical contributions to the Sephardic Jewish community. "Ocho Kandelikas" is one of her most well-known compositions and has been widely recorded by diverse performers, including Pink Martini, Idina Menzel, and the United States Army Band. The song has become a beloved part of the holiday repertoire for Jewish children, who grew tired of banal holiday songs in the mid-1950s.
The song is not just significant for its catchy melody and festive theme but also for its role in preserving and promoting the Ladino language and Sephardic culture. Ladino, also known as Judezmo or Sephardic Jewish Spanish, is a language that evolved from Old Spanish and was spoken by Jewish communities after their expulsion from Spain in 1492. By composing and performing songs in Ladino, Flory Jagoda helped to keep this language alive and connected new generations to their cultural heritage.
"Ocho Kandelikas" or "Eight Little Candles" is a heartwarming and joyful song that captures the spirit of Hanukkah. It has become a beloved tradition for many families, bringing them together to celebrate the holiday and honor their cultural traditions. The song's popularity and enduring appeal are a testament to Flory Jagoda's talent and her dedication to enriching the musical repertoire of the Sephardic community.
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'Light One Candle' by Peter Yarrow
"Light One Candle" is a song by the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary. The song was written in 1982 by Peter Yarrow and first performed at Carnegie Hall. Peter, Paul, and Mary started performing the song in concerts in 1982 and later recorded it for their 1986 studio album "No Easy Walk to Freedom". The song is a popular Hanukkah tune with lyrics commemorating the war of national liberation fought by the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greek empire from 167 to 141 BCE. The Maccabee victory is described in the Books of Maccabees and is celebrated during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. "Light One Candle" is a pacifist response to the 1982 Lebanon War, with lyrics such as "Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice justice and freedom demand" and "Light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemaker's time is at hand". The song reflects on the importance of standing up for justice and freedom, even when faced with challenging circumstances. It serves as a reminder that each person has the power to make a difference, just like the Maccabees, by lighting a candle and taking action towards a more peaceful world.
The song has become a beloved part of Hanukkah celebrations for many people, with its message of hope and peace resonating across generations. The imagery of candlelight is especially fitting for Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, where the lighting of candles holds significant meaning. During Hanukkah, the nine-branched Menorah, or Hanukkiah, is lit each night to commemorate the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days during the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Each night, an additional candle is lit, starting with the Shamash, or the helper candle, which is used to light the others. This ritual symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.
Through "Light One Candle," Peter Yarrow invites listeners to join in this act of illumination, not just in a literal sense but also in a metaphorical way. By encouraging people to "light one candle," the song urges individuals to find their inner light and use it to bring justice, freedom, and peace to the world. It emphasizes that even a single candle, or a single person, can make a significant difference when faced with adversity. The song's message aligns with the core values of Hanukkah, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness and the power of perseverance in the face of challenges.
The release of "Light One Candle" in 1986, more than a decade after the group's initial success in the 1960s, demonstrated the enduring relevance and impact of their music. The song's message of peace and its connection to Hanukkah's themes of resilience and freedom have made it a timeless addition to the holiday's musical repertoire. "Light One Candle" serves as a reminder that each person has the potential to be a beacon of light in the world, contributing to a brighter and more harmonious future. The song's enduring popularity and its inclusion in Hanukkah celebrations worldwide showcase the universal appeal of its message and the power of music to unite and inspire people from all walks of life.
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'The Chanukah Song' by Adam Sandler
"The Chanukah Song", also known as "The Hanukkah Song", is a novelty song by comedian Adam Sandler. It was first performed by Sandler on the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live on December 3, 1994. The song was co-written by Sandler with SNL writers Lewis Morton and Ian Maxtone-Graham.
The song centres on the theme of Hanukkah and the feelings of alienation experienced by Jewish children during the Christmas season. To address these feelings, the song lists famous Jewish people and fictional characters with Jewish connections. These include Bruce Springsteen, who Sandler jokes his mother thinks is Jewish, and Mr. Spock, whose actor, Leonard Nimoy, was Jewish. Other pop culture references include Manischewitz wine, Hooked on Phonics, and Tijuana, Mexico.
Sandler has since performed the song as part of his stand-up act, updating it with new lyrics. There have been multiple versions of the song, including "The Chanukah Song, Part II", recorded live at Brandeis University for Sandler's 1999 album "Stan and Judy's Kid", and "The Chanukah Song, Part IV", performed at a live Judd Apatow & Friends event in November 2015.
"The Chanukah Song" has become an annual Hanukkah staple and has been covered by other artists, such as the Jewish-Australian pop-punk band Yidcore, who released "The Punk Rock Chanukah Song" in 2004. It has also been referenced and parodied in popular culture, such as on Saturday Night Live, where Jimmy Fallon impersonated Adam Sandler and sang a version of the song with lyrics about non-Jewish celebrities.
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'Hanukkah blessings' or 'Berakhot Laḥanukka' in Modern Hebrew
Hanukkah, also spelt Chanukah, is an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the subsequent rededication of the temple. It falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December.
There are three Hanukkah blessings, or Berakhot Laḥanukka in Modern Hebrew, that are sung while lighting the candles of the menorah. On the first night, all three blessings are recited, and on the seven nights that follow, only the first and second blessings are recited. The blessings are as follows:
First Blessing
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִידְשָׁנו בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִיוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חַנֻכָה
Transliteration: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah
Translation: Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukah lights
Second Blessing
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Transliteration: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
Translation: Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors at this season
Third Blessing (Shehecheyanu)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָּנוּ, וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיָּענוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Transliteration: Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh
Translation: Praised are you, lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season
After the two or three blessings are sung, Hanerot Halalu is chanted. The popular tune for these blessings was composed by Samuel E. Goldfarb and his brother Israel Goldfarb in the early 20th century.
There are also several popular Hebrew songs for Hanukkah, including "Sevivon" or "S'vivon", "Al Hanisim", and "Mi Y'malel". "Ner Li" is another simple Hebrew Hanukkah song that is popular in Israel.
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Frequently asked questions
Some songs about candles for Hanukkah include "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), "Light One Candle", "The Chanukah Song", "Eight Days of Hanukka", "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), and "Chanukah, Chanukah".
"Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles") is a song about the eight candles of Hanukkah, with one candle lit on each of the eight nights.
"Light One Candle" is a song that encourages Jewish people to remember the history of Hanukkah and continue their heritage.
"Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages") is a 13th-century Jewish liturgical poem that celebrates how the Jews survived four enemies in their past.
