Chloe Adams
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish 'festival of lights', is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. Each night, one additional candle is lit, starting with one candle on the first night. The ninth candle, known as the shamash, is used to light the other eight. Special blessings are recited before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are often sung afterward. Fried foods are typically eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the importance of oil in the original miracle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles lit on the first night | 1 |
| Number of candles lit on the second night | 2 |
| Number of candles lit on the third night | 3 |
| Number of candles lit on the fourth night | 4 |
| Number of candles lit on the fifth night | 5 |
| Number of candles lit on the sixth night | 6 |
| Number of candles lit on the seventh night | 7 |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
The number of candles lit each night
Hanukkah is a Rabbinic 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 the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from November 28 to December 27 in the Gregorian calendar.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle designating the first night. The shamash candle is placed above or below the other eight candles and is used to light them. The shamash candle is lit first by some Ashkenazim, who then use it to light the others. However, Sephardim have the custom of lighting the shamash candle last, using a different candle or a match to light all the other candles.
On each subsequent night, one additional candle is lit, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. This means that two lights are lit on the first night, three on the second, and so on, ending with nine on the last night, for a total of 44 candles (36 excluding the shamash).
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum with eight branches holding candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, and a ninth branch for the shamash. The menorah is usually placed near an inside doorway, and the candles are lit after sundown, except on Shabbat when lighting a fire is forbidden according to Jewish law.
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Customs for Ashkenazim and Sephardim
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple. It is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which falls between November 28 and December 27 in the Gregorian calendar.
The customs and traditions of Hanukkah vary between Ashkenazim and Sephardim, and each culture has its own unique way of celebrating the festival.
Lighting of the Candles
One of the most significant differences between Ashkenazim and Sephardim during Hanukkah is the way they light the candles on the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the candelabrum or chanukiah. The Ashkenazic custom is for each member of the family to light their own menorah, with every male member of the household, and in many families, girls as well, lighting a full set of lights each night. In contrast, the Sephardic custom is to have one menorah for the entire family, with one set of lights shared by all members of the household.
The order in which the candles are lit also differs between the two groups. Among Ashkenazim, the shamash candle, which is the "helper" candle, is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles. On the first night, two candles are lit, and one additional candle is lit each subsequent night, so that on the final night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit. This results in a total of 44 candles being lit over the course of the eight nights. However, the Sephardic custom is to light the shamash candle last and to use a different candle or a match to light the other candles.
Blessings and Prayers
Both Ashkenazim and Sephardim recite blessings and prayers during the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. They recite two affirmations of the commandment to kindle the lights and recall the Hanukkah miracle. However, there are some differences in the specific blessings and prayers recited. The Ashkenazim include a verse that states the holiness of the candles, while the Sephardim recite Psalm 30 for the dedication of the Temple.
Display of the Menorah
Another difference between the two groups is the placement of the menorah. The Ashkenazim tend to place the menorah in a window facing the street, making it visible to passersby, as a way to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah. On the other hand, the Sephardim may place the menorah in a window as well, but the primary purpose is to display the beauty and light of the menorah rather than specifically to publicize the miracle.
Traditions and Culinary Preferences
While the lighting of the menorah and the recitation of blessings are shared traditions, there are also unique traditions and culinary preferences that differ between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. For example, the tradition of playing dreidel, giving gifts, and giving Chanukah gelt (money) to children originated from Germanic lands and living among Christians. This tradition was adopted by Ashkenazim, while it was not typically part of Sephardic customs.
Additionally, there are specific foods associated with each group during Hanukkah. Fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes), jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot), and Sephardic bimuelos are commonly eaten by both groups to commemorate the importance of oil during the festival. However, other culinary preferences may vary, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and influences of Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
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The shammash candle
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed for eight nights and days, with the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah, being lit. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shammash, derived from the Hebrew word "attendant" or "helper", which is used to light the other eight candles. The shammash candle is usually placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different height from the other eight candles to distinguish it. However, this does not indicate that it is more important than the other candles.
The purpose of the shammash is to adhere to the Talmud's prohibition against using Hanukkah lights for anything other than commemorating and meditating on the Hanukkah miracle. This is in contrast to Sabbath candles, which are meant to be used for illumination and lighting. Thus, if extra light is needed during Hanukkah, the shammash candle can be used without violating the prohibition.
There are differing customs regarding the lighting of the shammash candle. Among Ashkenazim, the shammash candle is lit first and then used to light the other candles. However, among Sephardim, it is customary to light the other candles first using a different candle or a match, and then light the shammash candle last. On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit by the shammash, starting from the left-most candle on the first night.
After all the candles have been lit, the shammash candle is not blown out but is allowed to continue burning alongside the other candles. This is because the shammash is still considered "ready to serve" in case any of the other candles blow out. Additionally, leaving the shammash lit adheres to the rule that Chanukah candles should not be used for any practical purpose.
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The blessings
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. The menorah holds nine candles, one of which is the shamash, meaning "attendant", and is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed above or below the other candles.
Each night, one additional candle is lit, starting with one candle on the first night and ending with all nine lit on the final night. The candles are added from right to left but lit from left to right on the menorah, always starting with the newest light. Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.
The lighting of the menorah and the recitation of blessings are at the heart of Hanukkah, with the festival being a time to focus on the religious purpose of the holiday and the miracle it commemorates. The blessings are a way to bring spiritual meaning and intention to the act of lighting the candles, connecting the present celebration with the historical miracle of Hanukkah.
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Hanukkah songs
Hanukkah, the Rabbinic Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple, is observed for eight nights and days. The festival is marked by the lighting of candles on a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly known as a menorah or hanukkiah. Each night, an additional candle is lit, with the shamash or "helper" candle being used to light the others.
The lighting of the menorah is accompanied by traditional blessings and songs. Here are some popular Hanukkah songs:
- "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages")
- "Latke'le Latke'le" ("Little Latke, Little Latke" in Yiddish)
- "Hanukkiah Li Yesh" ("I Have a Hanukkah Menorah")
- "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles" in Judeo-Spanish)
- "Kad Katan" ("A Small Jug")
- "S'vivon Sov Sov Sov" ("Dreidel, Spin and Spin")
- "Haneirot Halolu" ("These Candles Which We Light")
- "Mi Yimalel" ("Who Can Retell")
- "Ner Li, Ner Li" ("I Have a Candle")
- "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel"
- "Oh Chanukah"
In addition to these traditional songs, there are also modern Hanukkah songs, such as:
- "Dreidel Bird" by The Macaroons
- An original tune by Dan Nichols about taking the themes of Hanukkah to heart
- A song by high-energy Jewish rocker Josh Nelson, which includes the word "antidisestablishmentarianism"
- "Puppy for Hanukkah" by Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, and William Hutson, which combines rap and klezmer music
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Frequently asked questions
The candles are lit to commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Second Temple.
There is one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is an eight-day celebration. So, eight candles are lit in total. There is also an extra candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight candles.
The candles are lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, there is an exception on Friday nights when the candles should be lit before sunset as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law.
The shamash candle is placed in the centre of the menorah, on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The other candles are placed from right to left, but are lit from left to right.
The blessings recited during the candle-lighting ceremony include:
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
- Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
- Baruch atah Adonai, elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.
