Celebrating Hanukkah With Candles

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and nights. One of the most iconic symbols of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a special candelabra with nine branches. Each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit on the menorah until all eight candles are aglow, representing the miracle that occurred in the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The story behind Hanukkah dates back over 2,000 years to the time when the land of Israel was ruled by the Syrian-Greeks. The Jewish people were being oppressed and forbidden from practicing their religion. However, a group of brave Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees fought against their oppressors and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem.

Once the Temple was back in Jewish hands, they set about rededicating it to their faith. Legend has it that there was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days until more could be prepared. This miracle is celebrated during Hanukkah with the lighting of the candles on the menorah.

The menorah holds a central place in the celebration of Hanukkah. The ninth branch of the menorah, known as the shamash, is used to light the other candles. Each night, one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are burning brightly. The menorah is placed in a prominent spot in the home, often in a window to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah.

In addition to lighting the menorah, traditional Hanukkah celebrations also include playing games with a dreidel, eating foods fried in oil (such as potato latkes and jelly donuts), and exchanging gifts. Families come together to celebrate and remember the miracles of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah with candles is a time to reflect on the triumph of light over darkness and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity. It is a time to come together with loved ones, share in the joy of the holiday, and remember the miracles that have kept the flame of the Jewish faith burning bright for thousands of years.