Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday that celebrates freedom and the miracle of a jug of oil that burned for eight days. The holiday also includes the lighting of the Menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, with special prayers. But how exactly is the Menorah lit?
In order to light the Menorah, a wick should first be placed in all of the holders. Once the wicks are in their places, the Shamash, the helper candle, is lit. This candle should be of better quality than the other candles and should be placed higher than them. The Shamash should then be used to light each one of the candles. The Menorah should then be placed in a spot that will allow the light of all of the candles to be clearly visible.The Meaningful Aspect
The act of lighting the Menorah is more than just a physical action. It is also a time for prayer and reflection. Before each of the candles is lit a special blessing is said: “Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Asher Kiddishanu Bemitzvotav Vtzivanu Lhadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah.” That means “Blessed be You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of Hanukkah.”
Follow This Order
As each day of Hanukkah passes, another candle is added to the branches of the Menorah. It is important to always light the candles in the same order. Starting from the right to the left, the first candle lit will be the Shamash and then on the first night the candle furthest from the Shamash should be lit. On the following days you should add one more candle starting from the left.
Symbolic Meaning
A necessity of the Menorah is to be standing in a position that allows others to see it. If you are lighting a Menorah at home, try to stand the Menorah in the window. This symbolizes that we want the world to see our joy and share in our light.
All in all, the Menorah is a symbol of hope and victory of the Jewish nation and it’s important to take the time to understand and appreciate the meaning behind the act of lighting it. Beyond the joyous and spiritual act lies a deep message of faith, hope, and courage. Lighting the Menorah is a yearly reminder of the many great moments of Jewish history and the miracles performed by God.
Dedicating a few moments each night of Hanukkah to light the Menorah allows us to reconnect with the stories and the spiritual core of our Judaism. Hanukkah is not just a holiday for celebration but also an opportunity to rekindle our relationship with God.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.