Hanukkah is a religious event commemorated by Jewish people all over the world. It is celebrated for eight days, starting from the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. It is customary to light a branch of nine candles (called a Hanukkah menorah or Chanukah menorah) on each of the nights of Hanukkah. But what do those nine candles really represent?
Each of the nine candles on the Chanukah menorah holds a special meaning. The Shamash, which is the tallest candle and sits in the center of the menorah, is the servant candle. It is used to light the other eight candles. It symbolizes the power of your soul, of the unity of the family and of the need to draw strength from the sense of community. The first night of Hanukkah is celebrated with one candle and on each consecutive night another candle is lit until all nine candles are burning brightly on the eighth night.The eight other candles on the menorah signify the eight days of miraculous oil that kept the menorah burning in the temple when there was only enough sacred oil to last one day. According to tradition, two thousand years ago, the Second Temple of Jerusalem was defiled by the Syrian-Greeks. The Jews fought back through a revolt led by the Maccabees, eventually regaining control of the temple and rededicating it to the worship of the God.
When the Maccabees went to re-light the menorah in the Temple, they found one small cruse of pure pressurized olive oil, enough to last only one day, but miraculously it lasted 8 full days until more could be procured. It is this miracle that is recalled each year at Hanukkah.
By placing each of the candles on the menorah from right to left, placing the first candle on the right side of the menorah and the last candle on the left, we are reminded of the progressive nature of the Hanukkah miracle. Start with one candle and add another each night until all eight candles are lit. The ninth candle, also called the shamash, is placed apart from the other eight.
Lighting the Chanukah menorah marks the holiday and also serves as a reminder of the historic miracle that took place in Jerusalem during Maccabean revolt. In its most basic sense, the candles symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, of spirituality over materiality and of freedom over oppression. As Jews, we use this opportunity to pause, to recognize the power of our faith and to draw strength from the past as we work to build a brighter tomorrow.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.