Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the miracle of oil. It is celebrated for eight days and each night a special candle, called the Hanukkah menorah, is lit. But the big question on most people’s minds is: “What direction do Hanukkah candles go?” In this article, we’ll explore the meaning and history behind Hanukkah and the correct way to kindle the Hanukkah candles.
When it comes to the proper direction of Hanukkah candles, the answer is simple yet significant. The traditional way is to light the candles from left to right. However, there is an alternate version where the candles are lit from right to left.
The tradition of lighting the Hanukkah Menorah comes from the 2nd century BCE. During the time of the Maccabees, the Jewish people faced persecution from Antiochus IV Epiphanes. With a devotion to their religion and Jewish traditions, the Maccabees made a stand against their oppressors and reclaimed their freedom, ultimately leading to the successful rededication of the Second Temple. In order to commemorate their freedom, a seven-branched Menorah was lit from the left side of the Temple, and a single branch was lit from the right side as a special reminder of the freedom they fought for.
With this history in mind, the tradition of lighting the Hanukkah Menorah from left to right the foremost symbolizes this spirit of freedom and unity. The left side of the Menorah is lit first, representing the East, and the right side represents the West. This imagery reflects the Maccabees’ coming together from all directions and standing firm against their oppressors.
Because the left-to-right lighting of the Menorah is so closely tied to Jewish heritage and the freedom celebrated during Hanukkah, many Jews today follow the same traditional way of lighting the Menorah.
There is, however, an alternate version of Menorah lighting which is practiced by some people. This version directs that the candles be lit from right to left. In this version, the right side of the Menorah is lit first, followed by the left side. This symbolizes the progressive nature of the Jewish faith and its struggle to be able to stay free and practice its religion.
Regardless of which version you choose, both the left-to-right and right-to-left candle lighting during Hanukkah plays an important role in unifying the Jewish people and reminding them of their many struggles.
In conclusion, Hanukkah is an eight-day festival that celebrates a miracle and allows the Jewish people to remember their freedom from oppression and values of unity. Hanukkah candles must be lit in traditional left-to-right direction, though an alternate version of right-to-left is used by some. Both versions honor the past struggles of the Jewish people, and serve to remind them of the importance of standing together.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.