Jewish Festival Candles: Their Significance And Symbolism

Candles are an integral part of Jewish religious rituals, with candlelight often thought of as a reminder of God's divine presence. Candles are lit before every Shabbat, with the number of candles varying between two and eight. The lighting of candles is also a key part of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah menorahs or hanukkiahs are candelabras with nine branches, eight of which hold candles that are lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, with the ninth branch holding a candle known as the shamash, or helper, which is used to light the other eight.

Hanukkah menorah

A Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one candle being lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all eight are lit on the final night. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles, but there is no consensus on whether the hanukkiah should be arranged in a straight line or a curve.

The lighting of the menorah is the most central ritual of Hanukkah. The tradition commemorates the miracle of a small jug of olive oil that lasted eight days, as well as the Maccabean Jews' recovery of Jerusalem and rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century BCE.

In the United States and elsewhere, the public display of hanukkiahs has become a source of legal battles, with some arguing that it violates the Establishment Clause. However, in the 1989 County of Allegheny v. ACLU case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the display of hanukkiahs did not endorse any particular religion and was a secular part of the winter holiday season.

Candles symbolise the human soul

In Jewish tradition, candles are lit during holidays and on Shabbat to signify the holiness of the occasion and to remind people that it is distinct from their day-to-day life. The lighting of candles during Jewish festivals is also a reminder of God's divine presence.

Candles are also lit during Jewish festivals to symbolise the human soul. The connection between the candle's flame and the soul is derived from Mishlei (Proverbs) 20:27: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Like a human soul, a flame must breathe, change, grow, strive against the darkness, and ultimately fade away. Thus, the flickering of candlelight symbolises the precious fragility of life and reminds people to embrace and cherish every moment.

During the eight-day festival of Hanukkah, Jews light candles on the Chanukiah or Hanukkah Menorah to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. The miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days is celebrated, with each night one more candle being 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.

Candles are also lit before Shabbat in Jewish homes or synagogues before sunset on Friday evening. Two candles are lit to represent the biblical requirements to shamor and zachor ("keep" and "remember" the Sabbath). They also symbolise kavod (honour) for the Sabbath and Oneg Shabbat (enjoyment of Shabbat). At the end of Shabbat, a special braided Havdalah candle is lit, representing the first work of the new week.

The miracle of oil

The miracle of the oil is commemorated during Hanukkah, which is celebrated annually for eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. This date usually falls between November 28 and December 27 in the Gregorian calendar.

The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of these 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. Each night of Hanukkah, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit together.

The miracle of the oil is also symbolised by the eating of fried foods during Hanukkah. In the United States, Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe traditionally eat latkes—potato pancakes fried in oil. In Israel, sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts, are a popular Hanukkah treat.

The miracle of the oil is also referenced in the lighting of candles during the celebration of Shabbat. This ritual uses fire as symbolic language, reflecting the abundance of light imagery in the Bible. For example, in Genesis 1:3, God commands, "Let there be light."

The candle's flame

In Jewish tradition, the candle's flame is thought to represent the human soul and serves as a reminder of the beauty and frailty of life. This symbolism originates from a passage in Mishlei (Proverbs) 20:27: "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Like the human soul, a flame must breathe, change, grow, strive against darkness, and eventually fade away. Thus, the flickering candlelight reminds us of the preciousness and impermanence of life, encouraging us to embrace and cherish every moment.

The lighting of candles also plays a significant role during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Two candles are typically lit before sunset on Friday evening to mark the transition from the secular to the sacred. The gentle, even flame symbolises the tranquility and peace associated with Shabbat, providing a sense of calm and honour for the Sabbath. At the end of Shabbat, a special braided Havdalah candle is lit, representing the resumption of work and the busyness of life.

In addition to these festivals, candles are lit during major Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot. Memorial candles are also lit on the yahrzeit (death anniversary) of loved ones, symbolising remembrance and honour for those who have passed away. Overall, the candle's flame holds a sacred place in Jewish tradition, serving as a powerful reminder of the divine, the human soul, and the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Lighting Hanukkah candles

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. The hanukkiah holds eight candles that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday, and a ninth candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. On the first night, one candle is lit using the shamash, and on each subsequent night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight candles and the shamash are lit together.

The Talmud requires that women engage in the mitzvah of lighting Hanukkah candles because they too were involved in the miracle of a small jug of olive oil that lasted for eight days. Hanukkah lights should usually burn for at least half an hour after sunset. Many Jews light the candles at sunset, while others, such as the Hasidim, light them later, generally around nightfall. The traditional place for the hanukkiah is within a Tefach of the doorway to the public domain on the opposite side of the mezuzah, although some people place it in a window.

In recent years, there has been debate about whether non-Jews can light Hanukkah candles as a show of solidarity with the Jewish community. Some Jews have suggested that non-Jews could light an electric menorah or hanukkiah as a gesture of support, while others have expressed concern about disrespecting Jewish culture and religion.

In addition to the lighting of candles, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to its proximity to Christmas. The celebration of Hanukkah in the public sphere has been the subject of legal battles in the United States, with the Supreme Court ruling that the public display of hanukkiahs and Christmas trees does not violate the Establishment Clause.

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