Tyler Brooks
In the Jewish faith, candles are lit during holidays and on Shabbat as a reminder that the occasion is holy and distinct from everyday life. The candle's flame is thought to represent the human soul and serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. The menorah, a seven-branched candelabra, is a symbol of the Jewish religion. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The lighting of the candles expresses the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbol | The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish religion. |
| Light | The candle's flame represents God's divine presence and the human soul. |
| Transition | Candles are lit to mark the transition from profane to sacred time. |
| Joy | Candles are equated with joy in Judaism. |
| Honour | The two candles lit on Shabbat represent kavod (honour) for the Sabbath. |
| Miracle | The Chanukkiyah candle commemorates the miracle of a tiny cruse of olive oil lasting eight days. |
| Duration and vitality of Judaic faith | The Chanukkiyah candle expresses the duration and vitality of Judaic faith. |
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What You'll Learn
The candle as a symbol
Candles are an important symbol in Judaism, with candlelight often thought of as a reminder of God's divine presence. The lighting of candles is a common ritual in Jewish tradition, used to mark transitions from profane to sacred time, such as the beginning of Shabbat, and to express the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith during religious holidays.
The candle's flame is thought to represent the human soul and serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. This symbolism is derived from a passage in 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 eventually fade away.
The Menorah, a seven-branched candelabra, is a symbol of the Jewish religion. The original Menorah was an oil lamp, not a candle holder, and it burned olive oil. The lighting of the Menorah is a ritual that is carried out during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, or Chanukah, which lasts for eight days. The Hanukkah Menorah has nine branches, with eight branches holding candles that are lit over the eight nights of the holiday, and the ninth branch, called the Shamash, or "helper", used to light the other eight.
The use of candles during Jewish rituals, such as the lighting of the Menorah during Hanukkah, serves as a reminder of the miracle of a small amount of olive oil that lasted for eight days. This symbolism is derived from the Bible, where light imagery is common, and the authors used images of light to express the inexpressible. For example, in Exodus 3:2, Moses first experiences God's compassion in the form of a burning bush.
In addition to the Menorah, candles are also lit during other Jewish rituals, such as the Shabbat, which is marked by the lighting of two candles, and the Havdalah ceremony, which marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new work week, and uses a special braided candle. Candles are also lit during major Jewish holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover, and on the yahrzeit (death anniversary) of loved ones.
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The Hanukkah menorah
The menorah has a long history as a symbol of Judaism, dating back to ancient times. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where it is described as being made of pure gold and fuelled by fresh olive oil. The menorah was present in Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple, and its image has been found on ancient coins, walls, and artefacts. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the menorah became a distinctively Jewish symbol, used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries.
Today, the public display of the Hanukkah menorah is a tradition during the Jewish holiday. Large menorahs can be found in public places, and menorahs are lit in official residences, such as the White House and the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. The lighting of the menorah is a sacred ritual, with specific blessings recited each night of Hanukkah. The shamash is lit first, followed by the other candles, added gradually each night.
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The Chanukkiyah
The lighting of the Chanukkiyah follows a specific ritual that expresses the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith. The celebration of Hanukkah, or Chanukah, commemorates the consecration of a new altar in the Temple of Jerusalem after the city was liberated from the Hellenics. It also celebrates the miracle of the Menorah of Jerusalem, when the oil continued to burn for eight days after it ran out.
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The miracle of the Menorah of Jerusalem
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and history. The word "menorah" comes from the Hebrew word for "light", and it is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art. The original menorah was an oil lamp, and the lamps were lit daily with fresh, consecrated olive oil.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the festival of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one additional candle called the shamash, or "helper", used to light the other eight. Each night, one more light is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of the Menorah of Jerusalem and the ancient seven-branched menorah used in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The public display of the menorah during Hanukkah holds great significance for the Jewish community. By lighting the menorah in a visible way, Jews proudly designate their homes, offices, community centres, and synagogues as Jewish spaces. This act of publicizing the miracle is an important tradition that helps to cope with and respond to the confusing and hostile reality that the Jewish community often faces. The menorah has become a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience, faith, and hope.
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The candle as a symbol of the human soul
In Jewish tradition, the candle is a powerful symbol. The lighting of candles is a sacred ritual, marking transitions from the profane to the sacred. Candles are lit on Shabbat, at either end, to symbolise the tranquility of the day of rest. The two Shabbat candles also represent the biblical requirements of "keep" and "remember" the Sabbath, as well as honour and enjoyment.
Candles are also lit on major Jewish holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover. They are lit to mark the holiness of the occasion, setting it apart from everyday life.
The candle's flame is thought to represent the human soul. This idea is derived from a passage in Proverbs 20:27, "Man's soul is the Lord's lamp, which searches out all the innermost parts." Like the soul, a flame must breathe, change, grow, strive against the darkness, and eventually, fade away. The flickering candlelight reminds us of the precious fragility of life.
The Chanukkiyah, or Hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabra, with eight candles representing the eight nights of the Hanukkah celebration, and the ninth, the Shamash, or "helper", used to light the others. The lighting of the Hanukkiah expresses the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith. The miracle of Hanukkah is also connected to the idea of the human soul. The oil that miraculously lasted eight nights echoes the divine command, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), and God's compassion, which manifests as a pillar of fire to guide the Israelites (Exodus 13:20-21).
The menorah, a seven-branched candelabra, is another important symbol in Judaism. It represents the Jewish religion and has become the official emblem of the State of Israel. The menorah was originally an oil lamp, but today, it is often depicted as a candelabra. The lighting of the menorah is a sacred ritual, with each lamp representing God's light, as described in the psalms: "With you is the fountain of life; by Your light do we see light" (Psalm 36:10).
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Frequently asked questions
In Jewish tradition, candles are lit during holidays and on Shabbat to serve as reminders that the occasion is holy and distinct from everyday life.
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, with one additional candle for the shamash or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash candle, or "guardian", is placed higher than the other lights and is used to light them.
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabra that is a symbol of the Jewish religion. The original menorah was an oil lamp rather than a candleholder. The menorah is also used in other cults such as Masonry.
In Judaism, candlelight is thought to be a reminder of God's divine presence. The flame of a candle is also thought to represent the human soul and serves as a reminder of the beauty and frailty of life.
