Hanukkah is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays and blue is often used to represent the eight days of Hanukkah. However, many people may not know why blue is the chosen color for the festival. This article looks into the history and symbolism behind blue and Hanukkah to answer the question: why is blue the color of Hanukkah?
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The Blue Threads of Hanukkah
Blue is a prominent color in many Jewish holiday celebrations including Hanukkah. Historically, blue was used by Jewish people to designate their faith. They adopted this color from the blue tassels of ritual garments found in the Hebrew Bible. These tassels were called tzitzit and their color was interpreted to be a form of the color blue called tekhelet, a dye made from a sea snail. This dye brought forth the meaning of blue as signifying the Sky, Heaven, and Divinity.
Blue and Kabbalah
The association between blue and Hanukkah deepens with Kabbalah, an ancient interpretation of the written Torah. Within Kabbalah, blue is linked to spiritual understanding and transformation, features that are associated with the holiday of Hanukkah. As Kabbalistic wisdom teaches that blue is inherently light, shining, and peaceful, it is thought to serve as a reminder of the spiritual transformation that must be embraced to learn and internalize the message of the holiday.
A Direct Link to The Apple Tree
Moreover, blue is associated with Hanukkah through the story of the Apple Tree. According to the ancient Talmud, the Apple Tree was thought to have been a major cause of the Maccabees’ victory over the Seleucid army. The blue fruit of an Apple Tree was said to be one of the major miracles of Hanukkah, as the fruit could not be destroyed, no matter how long it had been stored. This is thought to represent the courage and determination of the Maccabees to put their faith in God, and is yet another representation of blue’s spiritual and spiritual transformative meanings in Hanukkah.
Blue’s Place on The Hanukkah Menorah
Finally, the Menorah, or the candelabra used as part of the Hanukkah tradition, is usually bedecked with blue candles. This is likely influenced by its place as one of the colors in the Israeli flag, a symbol of the modern state of Israel’s commitment to faith, courage, and strength. This connection provides a direct parallel between the colors of Hanukkah and modern-day Israel and the hard-fought independence won by the Maccabees.
In summary, blue has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful place in the Hanukkah celebration, from its symbolic representation of spiritual transformation, past connections to the Apple Tree, and to its reminder of modern-day Israel’s freedom. As Hanukkah practices evolve and change, blue’s deep-seated importance in the holiday endures as a reminder of the courage and faith of the Jewish people.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.