▷ Why Are There 8 Candles For Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday when eight candles are lit over a period of eight days; these special lights are called the Menorah. Each Chanukah we take the time to understand and celebrate the successes of the Maccabees. But why are there 8 candles?

The number eight has a special meaning in Jewish tradition, and the lights of the Chanukah Menorah serve to represent it in a special way. According to Jewish tradition, God told Moses that on the first day of the Jewish people’s 8th month, a miracle would take place. The prophecy came true when the Maccabees rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the year 165 B.C.E after a period of persecution by the Seleucid Empire.

The story is that there was only enough oil for one night in the Eternal Flame of the Holy Temple, yet, miraculously, it burned for eight nights. As such, Chanukah is celebrated by lighting eight lights, one for each night of the miracle, and is referred to as the Festival of Lights.

The lights of the Menorah remind us that all miracles and blessings come from God, and that we are grateful for that bounty.

For that reason, each night of Chanukah starts with the kindling of one new light and continues each night until the Menorah is full. As the Menorah burns, we utter the traditional Hanukkah blessing, thanking God for all his good works.

Hanukkah is widely celebrated amongst Jews from around the world, a reminder that miracles can come and enable us to continue our journeys and fight the battles for justice and truth. The 8 candles of the Menorah are an enduring symbol the miracles of Hanukkah and the inspiration to hope, celebrate, and remain faithful in the face of adversity.

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