Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that is celebrated each year in remembrance of the Maccabees’ rededication of a temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BCE. A traditional part of the Hanukkah celebration involves a menorah with eight candles, which are lit each night of the holiday according to a special blessing. So, how many candles are on the Hanukkah menorah?
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The Eight Candles of Hanukkah
The menorah is also known as the Hanukiah or Hannukah, and it holds nine candles in total. Each night of the festival, eight of the candles are lit, beginning with the single shamash or helper candle on the menorah. The shamash is used to light the other candles, and it is placed higher or separate from the others. The other candles are typically arranged in four rows, with two candles in each row. The candles placed in the outermost row are called sh’erit, or “remnant” in Hebrew, while the middle two candles are called m’norah, or “magnificent.” Once all eight candles are lit, the Hanukkah menorah holds a total of nine candles.
The Blessing of the Hanukkah Menorah
Before the candles are lit, it is traditional to say the blessing of the Hanukkah menorah. This prayer is typically said in homes with a Jewish family each night, and it is preceded by the traditional blessing over lighting Hanukkah candles. The traditional verse reads: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.”
The Candle of the Sh’vit and the Blessing of the New Moon
In addition to the eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah, a ninth candle is also lit and placed a bit higher than the other eight. This candle is called the sh’vit and it is used to honor the new moon. Before the sh’vit is lit, the traditional blessing of the moon is said. It reads: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created the lights of fire.”
The Symbolism Behind the Hanukkah Menorah
The eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah hold great significance. While the number of candles pays tribute to the miracle of Hanukkah—for it was eight days that the holy oil burned in the temple in Jerusalem—the menorah also stands for the eight days of hope and dedication. Furthermore, the Hanukkah menorah is a reminder for Jews of the historical war the Maccabees fought for freedom, which highlights the importance of traditional Jewish values—such as bravery and belief in miracles—while emphasizing the miracle that the Macabees found enough oil to burn for eight days.
To sum up, the Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, eight of which are lit each night of the holiday. The menorah acts as a reminder of hope and dedication, as well as being a symbol of the miracle of the Maccabees and the oil burning for eight days. While the traditional blessings are said before the candles are lit, the sh’vit candle is used to honor the new moon in addition to honoring the miracle of Hanukkah.
In this way, the menorah fills our homes with the light of hope and brings joy and happiness during the special holiday of Hanukah.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.