▷ What The Hanukkah Candle Called?

Hanukkah is one of the most celebrated religious holidays among Jews around the world. A central part of the holiday is the nine-day festive candle-lighting ritual, known as the Hanukkah lights. Many have wondered what the Hanukkah candle is called.

The Hanukkah candle, commonly referred to as a “Chanukiah”, is a special candle holder that holds nine flames: eight symbolic for the eight days of Hanukkah and one usher, which is used to light the other eight candles. The nine-branched candelabrum is also known as a menorah or a hannukiah. It is traditional for many families to place the menorah in the window of their homes so that the light will be seen by others and it is also a symbol of the miracle of the eight nights of the Hanukkah. Each night another flame is added to the menorah and all of the lights are lit to signify a full Hanukkah celebration.

The Chanukiah consists of eight places for eight candles, plus the ninth, which is the shamash, or the candle used for lighting the other eight candles. Each night, one candle is lit with the shamash and placed in its corresponding section of the menorah, starting with the rightmost branch and going to the left.

History of the Hanukkah Lights

The Chanukiah has its roots in the ancient Jewish practice of lighting an oil lamp in the Temple in Jerusalem. This tradition began as early as the Second century BCE to recall the original miracle of the Maccabean victory over the Hellenist Syrian king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

The Jews of that time believed that their God would provide them with miraculous oil to light the menorah in the Temple. After three days, the oil was found and used to light the menorah, and it lasted for eight nights instead of one, a miracle.

This miracle is memorialized each year on the holiday of Hanukkah, when Jews light the Chanukiah with eight candles to represent the eight nights that the oil lasted.

Mean of the Hanukkah Lights

The Chanukiah and its significance go beyond simply its physical description and religious history. On an emotional level, it has come to symbolize the celebration of the small successes and triumphs over great odds.

Hanukkah and its lighting of candles is a representation of the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks, and stands as a reminder to endure through any challenge that comes our way. The Hanukkah lights remind us of the importance of holding on to faith that light will eventually take away our darkness, no matter how small the matches may be.

Ways to Celebrate the Hanukkah Lights

There are many ways to mark the holiday and remember the miracle of the oil each year. People can partake in recreational activities, such as spinning a dreidel, singing songs, and giving gifts.

In addition, families can light the Chanukiah, and each night they can share stories and blessings. Common blessings that are said on Hanukkah include:

The Ma’oz Tzur, which recalls the victory of the Maccabean over the Syrian-Greeks.
Blessings, which give thanks for God’s acts of kindness throughout the past year.
V’al Hannissim, which extols God’s miracles throughout Jewish history.

Hanukkah is an important holiday of the Jewish community, remembered through candle lighting and the many stories and rituals that accompany the holiday. The Hanukkah candle is called the Chanukiah and serves as a reminder of the miracle of the Macabean victory over the Syrian-Greeks. Through this miracle, the oil found in the Temple lasted for eight nights and is commemorated with the eight candles on the Chanukiah. This holiday and the lighting of the Chanukiah bring families closer together and remind us of the importance of faith and perseverance, no matter the odds.

Related Products:

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