Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday celebrated with prayer and the lighting of the Menorah. The Menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, is lit with white candles to mark the eight-day duration of the festival. An important part of the Hanukkah tradition is keeping the candles burning for the right amount of time. But how long do Hanukkah candles need to burn?
The Traditional Rules of Candle Lighting
The Talmud, the codified set of teachings and interpretations of Hebrew Law, sets some rules for how long Hanukkah candles must burn for. According to this tradition, each night one additional candle is lit and the newest candle should burn for at least half an hour. Therefore, over the eight days of Hanukkah, the candles should burn for a total of four hours.
Why is it Important to Keep the Candles Lit for the Right Amount of Time?
The lighting of the Menorah is an important tradition for the celebration of Hanukkah. It not only allows for the festival to be marked with prayer and celebration, but also serves to remind us of the Maccabees’ miraculous victory over the Syrian-Greeks, an event that happened more than two thousand years ago.
What Else Should I Know About Lighting the Hanukkah Candles?
There are other religious guidelines to bear in mind when lighting the Hanukkah candles to be sure that it is done according to Jewish law. Some of these include:
- The Shamash – This is a special candle used to light the other candles. This candle is usually made from a different material and must be set apart from the other candles.
- Order of Candle Lighting – The Shamash is lit first and is used to light the remaining candles in increments of one each night until all the candles are lit.
- Pledges in Prayer – As the candles are lit each night, prayers are said to thank God for His great mercy.
In summary, the Talmud, the codified set of teachings and interpretations of Hebrew Law, tells us that Hanukkah candles must burn for at least half an hour every night for the eight days of the festival. This important tradition is meant to keep alive the memory of the Maccabees’ victory and to honor God’s great mercy. The observance of these rules keeps us mindful of our religious heritage, while allowing us to make the most of the joy of the Festival of Lights.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.