During Hanukkah, Jews around the world light eight candles each day in a special menorah, or candelabra, for a period of eight days. Lights are lit on the first day and waned out on the last day, and each additional day is signaled by the kindling of a single light. The eight days of Hanukkah celebrate the Jewish victory at the time of the Maccabees, as well as the miraculous eight-day burning of oil in the rededicated Holy Temple.
On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit in a ceremony often referred to as “lighting the candles.” The ceremony includes blessing a four-cornered free-standing lamp, called a Hanukiah, that holds eight candles and each of which is lit in a certain order. One candle, the shamash (“helper” candle), is placed higher than the others, and one is used to light the others. The shamash is the candle used to kindle the other eight. On the first night, only one candle is lit and each additional night, an additional candle is lit until all eight are lit by the eighth night.The purpose of the Hanukkah lights is to draw attention to the miracle of the oil at the time of the Maccabees. It is said the lights of the menorah symbolize God’s presence and enlighten and enliven the darkness of winter. The menorah celebrates the courage and faith of the Maccabees and illustrates the importance of education and teaching, as each light takes its turn to light the fresh light of knowledge for all people.
One of the custom’s of Hanukkah also includes a game called dreydl, a four-sided spinning top that’s used to play gambling games. On each side of the dreydl there is a Hebrew letter which is an acronym for the phrase “A great miracle happened there.”
During Hanukkah, the menorah’s eight candles are lit each day to symbolize the eight days of lights in the Holy Temple. Each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit to bring joy and hope, and to remind us of the amazing miracle that enabled the Maccabees to save their people from religious persecution. The act of lighting the menorah brings the miracle of Hanukkah alive and is a tribute to the strength of faith and the importance of religious freedom.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.