Maddie James
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday is celebrated by lighting a special candelabra called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, which holds nine candles that are lit over eight consecutive nights. The ninth candle, called the shamash, or helper, is used to light the other eight. While Hanukkah candles themselves do not have a special name, they are often blue and white, colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, Menorah, or Hanukkah candles |
| Number of branches | Nine |
| Number of candles | Nine |
| Number of candles lit on the first night | One |
| Number of candles lit on the second night | Two |
| Number of candles lit on each subsequent night | One more than the previous night |
| Total number of candles lit on the eighth and final night | Eight |
| Purpose of the ninth candle | "Helper" or "servant" candle called the shamash used to light the other eight |
| Colour | Any colour, but blue and white are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel |
| Time of lighting | After sundown, except on Friday evening when it is lit prior to the Shabbat candles |
| Location of lighting | Window, doorway, or any place visible from the street |
| Ritual after lighting | Recitation of the paragraph Ha-neirot Hallalu, followed by the singing of Ma·oz Tzur |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Hanukkah menorah is called a hanukkiah
The word "menorah" comes from the Hebrew word for "lamp". The original menorah, or hanukkiah, had seven branches and was first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where its design was revealed to Moses by God. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
The use of a nine-branched menorah for Hanukkah likely began at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph. The nine candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth candle is used to light the others. The miracle of the oil is honoured during Hanukkah, as a small amount of oil that was only enough for one day miraculously lasted for eight days.
The lighting of the hanukkiah is a significant tradition during Hanukkah. Elected officials often participate in public lighting ceremonies, and the White House has held an annual Hanukkah Party since 2001, which includes a hanukkiah candle-lighting ceremony.
Learn to Play 'Firewood and Candles' on Guitar
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The shamash candle is the helper candle
The Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of light and is also known as a hanukkiah or chanukkiyah. It is lit to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The story goes that a small group of people known as the Maccabees rebelled against the ruler Antiochus IV, who had outlawed Judaism, and took back the Temple. They found only enough sacred oil to last one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight nights. This miracle is remembered by lighting the menorah during Hanukkah, with the shamash candle used to kindle the other eight.
The shamash candle is also significant in ensuring that the light of the menorah is not used for any practical purpose. By mixing its light with that of the other candles, it guarantees that the "real" Hanukkah candles are not used by themselves. This is in keeping with the custom of lighting the menorah to publicise the ancient miracle and not for any functional purpose.
The lighting of the shamash is accompanied by a series of blessings, and the candles are typically lit at dusk, except on Fridays when they are lit before sunset to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. The menorahs are often displayed in windows or doorways so that the light shines through the darkness, symbolising the distinction between darkness and light.
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is an essential part of the Hanukkah tradition, not only for its practical role in lighting the other candles but also for its symbolic significance in ensuring the light of the menorah shines brightly and purely during the Festival of Lights.
Candle Lamps: Are They Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Candles are blue and white, the colours of Israel
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that involves the lighting of a special menorah, called a hanukkiah, over eight days. The hanukkiah has nine branches: eight for candles or oil lamps, and one for a "helper" candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The candles used for Hanukkah can be any colour, but some people opt for blue and white candles, as these are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. The use of blue and white candles during Hanukkah is an example of hiddur mitzvah, a principle in Judaism that encourages the beautification of ritual objects.
The hanukkiah symbolises the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was desecrated under the rule of Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism and the keeping of the Sabbath. A group of rebels known as the Maccabees took back the Temple and relit the menorah. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the hanukkiah has nine candles: one for each of the eight days, and one to light the rest.
The lighting of the hanukkiah is a sacred ritual. On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited, and two blessings are recited on each subsequent night. The blessings are said after lighting the shamash but before lighting the other candles. The first blessing acknowledges that God commanded the kindling of the Hanukkah lights, the second expresses gratitude for the miracles shown to Jewish ancestors, and the third, recited only on the first night, thanks God for sustaining the Jewish people and bringing them to the season.
The hanukkiah is placed in a highly visible location, such as a window or doorway, so that the miracle of Hanukkah can be publicised to all who pass by.
The Making of Mrs. Meyer's Candles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Candles are lit at nightfall, when three stars appear
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil, when Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and found only a small amount of oil—enough for just one night—but miraculously, it burned for eight nights.
The menorah is lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, plus a “helper” candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. On the second night, two candles are lit, and so on, until all nine candles are aglow on the eighth and final night.
The Hanukkah menorah is displayed in a highly visible location, often in a window, to shine a light through the darkness at a time of year when the days are shortest. The lighting of the menorah is a powerful symbol of light, and Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights. The menorah is also a symbol of the ancient miracle of the oil, with each candle representing one of the eight nights it burned for.
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred ritual, and after the candles are lit, it is customary to recite the paragraph Ha-neirot Hallalu, which explains the purpose of lighting the menorah and the prohibition of making practical use of its light. This is followed by the singing of Ma·oz Tzur (Rock of Ages), a traditional Hanukkah song.
Trimming Candles: When and Why You Need to Do It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The menorah is displayed in a window or doorway
The menorah is a sacred symbol in Judaism and is displayed with great reverence during Hanukkah. The ritual of lighting the menorah is central to the Festival of Lights, bringing light to the darkest days of winter. The menorah is often placed in a window or doorway to be visible from the street, sharing its light with all passersby. This tradition is known as "pirsuma d'nissa", which translates to "the promulgation of the miracle". It commemorates the miracle of a single day's worth of oil lasting eight days, celebrated during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah.
The menorah itself has a rich history, with its design revealed to Moses by God, according to the biblical book of Exodus. The original menorah had seven branches, each adorned with ornate flowers, bulbs, and goblets, symbolising the days of Creation. This seven-branched menorah was first used in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Today, the seven-branched menorahs are used purely for decoration and are not lit.
The Hanukkah menorah, also called the hanukkiah, has nine branches. Eight of these hold candles or oil lamps, symbolising the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, used to light the other eight. Each night, one more light is kindled than the previous night, until all eight branches are lit on the final night.
The placement of the menorah in a window or doorway is significant. It ensures that the light of the menorah is shared with the community, fulfilling the mitzvah of publicising the ancient miracle. This act of sharing the light symbolises unity and the triumph of light over darkness. The menorah is often displayed alongside other Hanukkah traditions, such as paper menorahs, dreidels, and other crafts made by children.
The lighting of the menorah is accompanied by prayers and blessings. Three blessings are recited on the first night, with two blessings on each subsequent night. The first blessing acknowledges God's commandment to kindle the Hanukkah lights. The second expresses gratitude for the miracles shown to their ancestors. The third blessing, recited only on the first night, thanks God for sustaining life and bringing them to the present season.
How Handmade Candles Became a Successful Business
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Hanukkah candle doesn't have a special name and can be referred to as the “Hanukkah candle”. In Hebrew, the word for candles is "nerot". The nine-branched candelabra that holds the Hanukkah candles is called a menorah or Hanukkah menorah.
The menorah is a symbol of light and has been an important symbol in Judaism and ancient and modern Israel. The original menorah had seven branches, one for each day of creation. The Hanukkah menorah, also called a “hanukkiah” or "chanukkiyah", has nine branches to hold eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, plus an extra "helper" candle called the “shamash” or “servant candle".
The shamash candle is used to light the other eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah. It is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The shamash candle also guarantees that the light of the other candles is never used by itself for practical purposes.
The Hanukkah menorah symbolises the ancient miracle of the oil that was found in the temple after Judah Maccabee and his warriors successfully fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The small amount of oil they found, enough for just one night, miraculously burned for eight nights, giving the Maccabees time to find more oil and rededicate the temple.
