Chloe Adams
The lighting of candles during Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish tradition that holds great symbolic value. The ritual involves the use of a nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, with eight candles representing each night of the eight-day celebration and an extra helper candle known as the shamash. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles, with one additional candle being lit each night until all are illuminated on the final night. This practice symbolises the miracle of the Hanukkah oil, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | Eight candles, with one additional "helper" candle |
| Type of candles | Wax, soy, or oil lamps |
| Color of candles | Any color, but blue and white are associated with Judaism and Israel |
| Time of lighting | Nightfall, or sundown, when three stars appear |
| Placement | In a window or doorway, so that passersby can see the light |
| Ritual objects | Menorah, dreidel |
| Ritual activities | Singing, praying, exchanging gifts, charitable acts |
| Holiday foods | Latkes, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) |
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What You'll Learn
The miracle of the oil
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah serves as a reminder of the original miracle, with the eight nights of illumination reflecting the eight days that the small flask of oil burned. The ninth branch, represented by the shamash, symbolises the miracle's impact on the spirit and soul of the Jewish people, transcending the physical realm.
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The lighting ceremony
The menorah holds eight candles, with an additional "shamash" or "helper" candle, used to light the other eight. On the first night, the shamash candle is lit, followed by one of the other eight. Each night, an additional candle is lit, until the final night when all eight candles are illuminated. This practice symbolises the miracle of the Hanukkah oil, when the Maccabees found only enough consecrated oil to fuel the menorah for one day, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days.
The Chabad-Lubavitch movement is well-known for its public lighting ceremonies, a tradition that began in 1987. In the United States, the White House has embraced the lighting of the hanukkiah during Hanukkah since 1979, and since 2001, an annual White House Hanukkah Party has been held, including a hanukkiah candle-lighting ceremony.
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Hanukkah menorah
Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights, with the ritual of lighting the menorah at its centre. The menorah that Jews light during Hanukkah echoes the seven-branched candelabra that lit the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates this, but is distinct from it. The miracle of the oil is honoured, with traditionalists lighting their menorahs with oil, although most people today use wax or soy candles.
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Candles and colours
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, with the ritual of lighting the menorah at its centre. The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles representing the eight nights of the holiday, and a ninth "helper" or "servant" candle, called the shamash, used to light the other eight. Each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit.
The menorah is placed in a window or doorway, so that it can be seen from outside, fulfilling the commandment of publicising the miracle of the holiday. The miracle of Hanukkah refers to the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only enough consecrated oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, giving them enough time to prepare and consecrate more oil.
The candles used for Hanukkah can be any colour, although blue and white candles are often used, as these are the colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. Some people prefer to buy coloured candles for aesthetic appeal, in keeping with the principle of hiddur mitzvah, or making the ritual obligation beautiful.
In addition to the lighting of the candles, Hanukkah is celebrated with songs, prayers, and traditional foods such as latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
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Songs and celebrations
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights, celebrated with the lighting of a menorah, which holds nine candles. The menorah is placed in a window or elsewhere in the home so that it can be seen from the outside. Many songs are associated with the festival, and singing is a particularly joyous part of the celebrations for many families and communities.
One of the most well-known songs is "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), a 12th or 13th-century Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut, usually sung after the lighting of the candles each night. Another popular song is "I Have a Little Dreidel" ("The Dreidel Song"), a children's song from the late 1920s, which has been given a modern twist by Erran Baron Cohen.
Other traditional songs include the Yiddish "Oy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah!", which chronicles the fun activities that take place during the eight nights of Hanukkah, and "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah". More modern songs include "Light One Candle", written by Peter Yarrow, and "The Latke Song", by Debbie Friedman.
In addition to songs, there are various other Hanukkah customs and rituals. Many families exchange gifts, and some also use the opportunity to give to charity. In the US, the White House has held a Hanukkah Party since 2001, which includes the lighting of a hanukkiah candle.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hanukkah menorah, or 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, and the ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The lighting of the Hanukkah candles symbolises the miracle of the Hanukkah oil. When the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only enough consecrated oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for one day, but the oil lasted for eight days, allowing enough time to prepare and consecrate more oil.
Families light one candle on the first day of Hanukkah, and an additional candle each day thereafter, until all eight candles are illuminated on the final day. The shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other eight.
The menorah is placed in a window or doorway so that the light can be seen from outside. Families gather around the menorah to recite prayers and sing songs, such as "Maoz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages").
