Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Many people celebrate it today by lighting the menorah, a nine-branched candelabra which traditionally has eight branches. Each night during Hanukkah, a new candle is lit, but which one should you light first?
The first candle that is lit on Hanukkah is the Shammash or “Helper” candle. This candle is placed in the center of the candle-holder and is usually the tallest of the candles. It should be lit before any of the others and is used to light the remaining candles. The candle to its right is lit for the first night of the holiday, and only one candle is added per day. On the eighth night, all eight candles are lit. Each candle symbolizes a success that happened throughout the history of Jewish people.
It is traditional to light the Shammash candle first by walking around the menorah three times and reciting blessings. The blessings are done before lighting the first candle by saying a blessing over an alcoholic beverage (wine or a distilled alcoholic beverage) and making two separate blessings over the Hanukkah candles.This is followed by lighting the Shammash candle and then the first candle. The candles should burn for at least half an hour after they are lit, and it is important to make sure that they are extinguished before going to sleep.
The traditional way to light the Shammash and the first candle is to use any remaining wick from the previous night, as it is considered a mitzvah, or a commandment, to use up the remaining wax of a candle. If this is not possible, a special candle specifically made for the lighting of the Shammash is used.
Lighting the Shammash candle first is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration. It is symbolic of the victory of the Jewish people and how light and knowledge conquers darkness and ignorance. Celebrating this holiday is a reminder of the importance of faith, as well as an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, and to reflect on the history of the Jewish people.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.