▷ How Many Candles On Menorah For Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year. It is important to Jews all over the world, and it marks the miracle of the kindling of an everlasting flame at the time of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Every year during this eight-day festival, Jews light the candles of the Hanukkah menorah, or chanukiah, to commemorate the miracle that occurred many centuries ago. But how many candles should be put on the menorah for Hanukkah?

According to Jewish law, the menorah should consist of nine branches. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit on the right side of the menorah (from the observer’s point of view), followed by a second candle lit next to it, and so on. On each night of Hanukkah, another candle is lit, swelling the total number of candles lit from one to eight until all eight candles, plus the shamash (servant) candle, are lit.

Table of Contents

1 When to Light the Menorah?
2 Which Candles to Light?
- 2.1 Do People Light Additional Candles?
- 2.2 Why the Nine Branches?

When to Light the Menorah?

The menorah should be lit after sundown on each night of the holiday. The appropriate blessings are said before the lighting, and certain hymns are sung as the candles burn down. On each night, a new candle is added to the left side of the menorah and the oldest candle is burned first.

Which Candles to Light?

It is important to use special “Hanukkah candles” for the menorah. These may be found in a variety of colors, such as white or pink, plus wax, oil, or other types. As an alternative to candles, electric menorahs are also available. This is particularly useful for those who don’t want to spend time getting up and lighting the menorah each night.

Do People Light Additional Candles?

In some synagogues, an additional candle is lit each night, representing joy.
In some Sephardic homes, young children light an additional candle each day, representing their own contribution to the celebration.

Why the Nine Branches?

The number nine is symbolic of other important Hebrew numbers. The first Hebrew letter of the word “truth” is nine and the word “life” is made up of two letters, totaling nine. It is also believed that the nine branches of the chanukiah represent the miracle that occurred during the Festival of Lights. Eight was the normal amount of holy oil used in the temple, but miraculously the oil burned for eight full days and nights.

To sum up, the traditional menorah for Hanukkah includes nine branches. Of these, eight represent the days and nights on which the oil burned and the ninth is the shamash (the servant) candle. On each night of the holiday, a new candle is lit, flowing from right to left. Special Hanukkah candles, wax or oil, are used for this lighting and additional candles may be lit to signify joy and the contribution of young members of the family. Ultimately, lighting the Hanukkah menorah is a beautiful tradition, commemorating the miraculous as well as providing a meaningful celebration that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.