Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after Jewish victory against the Syrian-Greeks. The festival is celebrated over 8 days and nights and is one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the Jewish culture.
One of the most important parts of Hanukkah is lighting a nine-branched Menorah. According to Jewish tradition, each night a new candle is lit on the Menorah, until all candles are lit on the eighth night. But what do the Hanukkah candles represent?Table of Contents
What Do The Hanukkah Candles Represent?
The Number of Candles
The number of candles on the Menorah is significant and represents the eight days that oil for the Menorah miraculously burned in the Holy Temple, after the Jews were successful in their fight for freedom from the Syrian-Greeks. In total, nine candles are lit- the original eight on each night of the festival, plus a ninth candle that is used to light the other candles.
The Prayer over the Candles
When lighting each candle, a special prayer is recited in Hebrew. The prayer recalls the miracle of the oil burning and thanking God for allowing the Jews to be victorious over their oppressors. There is also a tradition of blessing each member of the family who is present during the lighting ceremony.
The Modim Prayer
At the conclusion of the candle-lighting ceremony, an individual brings the Menorah to a central points and offers a special prayer. This prayer is known as the Modim prayer, in which Jewish people thank and praise God for miracles he performed in the past and in their present lives.
The Spiritual Connection of Candle-lighting
In Jewish tradition, prayers and ceremonies such as candle-lighting are believed to have a spiritual connection between the Jewish people and God. Just like the oil that burned for 8 days, the candles symbolize light and hope. The Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony is a reminder of the power of faith and is a spiritual transfer of the eternal power of light throughout the world.
So, when lighting the Hanukkah candles, one is connecting not only to Jewish history and culture, but also to a people’s spiritual journey and to the power of light over darkness. Each candle is a reminder that through faith, hope, and dedication, anything is possible. Moreover, lighting the Hanukkah candles is a special and meaningful way of connecting to the community, to family, and to God.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.