Lighting a menorah is a special part of the Hanukkah celebration. But how many candles do you need to light up the Menorah properly? Answering this question is not always simple and depends on the particular traditions followed. Read on to find out how many candles are needed to celebrate Hanukkah.
Table of Contents
The Basic Basics
The tradition of lighting a Menorah dates back to the 2nd century BCE. It has become an integral part of the Hanukkah Festival, commemorating the Maccabean victory over the Syrian-Greeks and the miracle of a flask of oil that continued to burn for eight days in the Temple.
Candles for the Menorah
When it comes to how many candles to light, there are a few possible answers. The most popular answer is that each night one more candle is lit, taking the total tally to 8 on the 8th night. But this is not the only possible answer. Some families light a total of nine candles each night, with one additional “Shamas” candle used only to light the others.
Differences Across Cultures
Each family has its own unique version of the tradition; this is certainly true of the Menorah, in which different cultures have slightly different customs for lighting it. For example, The Sephardic tradition dictates that both ends of the Menorah be lit on the same night, while the Ashkenazi tradition suggests only lighting the leftmost side of the Menorah each night.
Symbols and Meanings
The individual candles of the Menorah may also have different significances; often, an extra candle is lit for each member of the family, with the other candles representing different prayers. In addition to numbers of candles, particular colors and sizes of the candles may also differ, and some Menorahs are illuminated using electric lights.
As you can see, there are multiple ways to properly light a Menorah. Ultimately, it is up to the family to decide which traditions to use and how they want to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights. Whether you choose to light 8, 9 or 11 candles, they represent hope, perseverance and the triumph of light over darkness.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.