Brooke Martin
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated by lighting candles, singing songs, playing games, and eating traditional foods. The holiday has a rich musical tradition, with songs like Ma'oz Tzur (Rock of Ages), Latke'le Latke'le (Little Latke, Little Latke), and Oh Chanukah being widely recognized and loved. One particular song about the candles of Hanukkah is Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles), a Ladino song written by Flory Jagoda in 1983. However, the tradition of singing songs during Hanukkah dates back much further, with some songs like Ma'oz Tzur originating in the 13th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Song | Ocho Kandelikas |
| Literal Translation | Eight Little Candles |
| Year | 1983 |
| Language | Ladino |
| Genre | Tango-rhythm |
| Composer | Flory Jagoda |
| Composer's Background | Jewish-American, born into the Sephardic Jewish community of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia |
| Instruments | Accordion and Violins |
| Lyrics | Describe a child's joy of lighting the candles on the menorah |
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What You'll Learn
The song Ma'oz Tzur was composed in the 13th century
The song Maoz Tzur, also known as Rock of Ages, is a Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut. It is written in Hebrew and is usually sung on the holiday of Hanukkah, after lighting the festival lights. The hymn is named for its Hebrew incipit, which means "Strong Rock (of my Salvation)" and is an epithet for God in Judaism.
The song Maoz Tzur was composed in the 13th century by a poet whose name is believed to be Mordechai. This is deduced from the acrostic formed by the first letters of the original five stanzas of the song. The tune is likely derived from a German Protestant church hymn or a popular folk song. The song celebrates deliverance from four ancient enemies of the Jewish people: Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, and Antiochus.
Maoz Tzur was originally sung for "Shene Zetim" ("Two Olives"), a piyyut sung before the Shema of shaharith of the first Shabat of Hanukah. It was originally sung only at home but has been used in the synagogue since the 19th century or earlier. In recent years, of its six stanzas, sometimes only the first stanza is sung, or the first and fifth.
The final stanza of Maoz Tzur calls for divine retribution against the enemies of the Jewish people. This stanza may have been a later addition, passed down only through oral tradition due to its strong anti-Christian sentiment. The bright and stirring tune now associated with the song is considered the representative theme in musical references to the feast.
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Ocho Kandelikas was composed by Flory Jagoda in 1983
Hanukkah is celebrated with several songs, one of which is Ocho Kandelikas, which translates to 'Eight Little Candles'. This song was composed by Flory Jagoda in 1983. Flory Jagoda was born into the Sephardic Jewish community of Sarajevo, Bosnia, in 1926. Ocho Kandelikas is a Ladino song, sung in Ladino, a language derived from Old Spanish and traditionally associated with the Sephardic Jewish community. The song celebrates the lighting of the candles on the menorah, a key Hanukkah tradition.
Ocho Kandelikas is not the only Hanukkah song to focus on candles. Hanukkah songs in Hebrew include "Ner Li, Ner Li", which translates to "I Have a Candle", and "Haneirot Halolu", which means "These Candles That We Light". Another Hebrew song, "Mi Y'malel" or "Mi Yimalel", has the opening line "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel", which is a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2.
There are also several English-language songs about Hanukkah candles. "I Have a Little Dreidel" is a famous song in English-speaking countries, with a Yiddish version called "Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl". "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" is another well-known song in English. These songs are playful and upbeat, often sung by children, and are about dancing, eating latkes, and playing dreidel.
In addition to songs about candles, there are other popular Hanukkah songs. "Ma'oz Tzur", or "Rock of Ages", is a 13th-century piyyut (Jewish liturgical poem) that celebrates how the Jews survived four enemies. "Al Hanisim", or "Al Hanissim", is another popular Hebrew song for Hanukkah, about thanking God for saving the Jewish people. "Oh Chanukah" is an English version of the Yiddish "Oy Chanukah", and is one of the most recognised English Chanukah songs.
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Light One Candle was written by Peter Yarrow in 1982
Hanukkah music, or Chanukah music, contains several songs associated with the festival of Hanukkah. There are three Hanukkah blessings that are sung for lighting the candles of the menorah. The popular tune for these blessings was composed by Samuel E. Goldfarb and his brother Israel Goldfarb in the early 20th century. Another popular Hanukkah song is "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), a Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut, usually sung after lighting the festival lights.
"Light One Candle" is a popular Hanukkah song written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary. The folk trio first performed the song at a Christmas/Hanukkah concert in Carnegie Hall in 1982, before recording it for their 1986 studio album "No Easy Walk to Freedom". Yarrow's song was a pacifist response to the 1982 Lebanon War, with lyrics such as: "Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice justice and freedom demand. Light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemaker's time is at hand."
The song "Light One Candle" commemorates the war of national liberation fought by the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greek empire from 167 to 141 BCE. The war and Maccabee victory are described in the Books of the Maccabees and celebrated during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The song's message of peace and its connection to the Hanukkah story have made it a beloved part of the holiday season for many people.
Other well-known Hanukkah songs include "Al Hanisim" or "Al Hanissims", a popular Hebrew song about thanking God for saving the Jewish people; "Mi Y'malel" or "Mi Yimalel", a well-known Hebrew Hanukkah song with the opening line, "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel"; and "Ner Li", a simple Hebrew song that translates to "I have a candle". These songs, along with "Light One Candle", have become an integral part of the Hanukkah celebration, bringing joy and meaning to the holiday for people of all ages.
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Al Hanisim was composed by Dov Frimer in 1975
Hanukkah music (or Chanukah music) contains several songs associated with the festival of Hanukkah. One such popular Hebrew song is "Al Hanisim" (or "Al Hanissim"), which translates to "For the Miracles." The song is about thanking God for saving the Jewish people. The most popular tune for "Al Hanisim" was composed by Dov Frimer in 1975.
Frimer was an established guitarist and composer. He composed the tune for "Al Hanisim" before moving to Eretz Yisroel in 1973, after which he took a break from music to focus on his legal studies at the request of his father, Rabbi Nachman Frimer. In 1974, Frimer submitted his composition to the Chassidic Song Festival, an annual music contest that took place from 1969 to 1992. The tune was sung by famed singer Izhar Cohen at the festival. Finally, in 1975, Frimer himself recorded the song for Shivat Zion's debut record. This recording is widely recognized as the popular tune for "Al Hanisim."
The song "Al Hanisim" has been covered by many artists and has become a proud staple of Hanukkah festivities. Frimer's composition has transcended the realm of Jewish music and firmly established itself as an integral part of the annual Hanukkah celebration. The song's upbeat tempo and repetitive refrain make it a perfect vehicle for bringing people together and expressing gratitude to God for His unceasing kindness.
In addition to "Al Hanisim," there are several other songs associated with Hanukkah. Some well-known English songs include "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" and "Oh Chanukah." Traditional Yiddish songs like "Oy Chanukah" and "I Have a Little Dreidel" have also been adapted into English versions. Other popular Hanukkah songs include Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), "Latke'le Latke'le, "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), "Mi Y'malel" ("Who Can Retell"), and "Ner Li, Ner Li" ("I Have a Candle"). These songs, along with "Al Hanisim," add to the joy and celebration of the Hanukkah festival.
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Mi Y'malel is a well-known Hebrew Hanukkah song
Hanukkah music (or Chanukah music in Hebrew) is a collection of songs associated with the festival of Hanukkah. There are three Hanukkah blessings that are sung while lighting the candles of the menorah. The third blessing, 'shehecheyanu', is only sung on the first night. After the blessings, 'Hanerot Halalu' is chanted. The popular tune for these blessings was composed by Samuel E. Goldfarb and his brother Israel Golfarb in the early 20th century.
Mi Y'malel (or Mi Yimalel) is a well-known Hebrew Hanukkah song. The opening line, which literally means "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel", is a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2, which reads, "Who can retell the mighty feats of God". There is also an English version called "Who Can Retell", with words based on the Hebrew. The song can be sung with instruments and two voices, as performed by Rosenthal and Safyan. The song can also be sung in a round or canon.
The blessings are usually sung in Modern Hebrew, and the following is a transliteration of the Hebrew:
> Berakhot Laḥanukka, Lit: Hanukkah blessings
The blessings are followed by the chanting of Hanerot Halalu, which is also transliterated according to Modern Hebrew.
Other popular Hebrew Hanukkah songs include "Al Hanisim" or "Al Hanissim", which is also an Israeli folk dance. The song is about thanking God for saving the Jewish people.
Another well-known Hebrew song is "Ner Li", which literally translates to "I have a candle". It is a simple Hebrew Hanukkah song that is popular in Israel. The words are by L. Kiplis, and the music is by D. Samburski.
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Frequently asked questions
"Ma'oz Tzur" was composed in the 13th century.
"Light One Candle" was composed in 1982 by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
"Ocho Kandelikas" was composed in 1983 by Flory Jagoda.
The popular tune for the three Hanukkah blessings was composed in the early 20th century by Samuel E. Goldfarb and his brother Israel Goldfarb.
