The Hanukkah menorah boasts Jewish culture and pride; it serves as the hallmark of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration. Lighting the menorah is a process beyond just an everyday getting up and lighting – it’s a reminder of symbolism, devotion, and illumination of spirit. Below, discover the Hanukkah menorah, what it symbolizes, the rituals involved with lighting the menorah, and its spiritual significance.
What Is a Hanukkah Menorah?
A Hanukkah menorah (or hanukkiah) is a nine-branched candelabra. In ancient times, seven-branched menorahs lit the Holy Temple, but the Hanukkah menorah has eight branches representing one for each night of Hanukkah plus an extra holder (the shamash) to light the remaining candles.
The Symbolism of the Menorah
The menorah is one of the oldest symbols in Judaism, representing divine light, wisdom, the spirit of the Jewish nation as a whole. The flames represent the miracle of the oil that enabled Jews to attain victory during the Hanukkah holiday. When the Maccabees took back the desecrated Second Temple in Jerusalem, they only had enough consecrated oil to light the Temple’s menorah for one day; miraculously, however, it lasted for eight days until they could get more oil.
Specific symbolism interpretations include:
- Light from darkness: A beacon that even when oppressed, there can always be a spiritual awakening.
- Faith: Such miracles happen only when there is steadfast faith with God and his commandments.
- Community: The lighting of the menorah is often done with families and the community together.
Rituals of Lighting the Menorah
The menorah is lit for eight nights starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Each night, an additional candle is added to the lit candles from previous nights until by the eighth night, every candle is on.
Some notes to remember about lighting a Hanukkah menorah:
- Where to light it: The menorah should be lit in a front window or door jam so it can be publicized.
- When to light it: It must be lit after sundown (though some like to light it at sundown) when it can be most apparent to everyone.
- Order in which to place candles: The candles go from right to left, but they should be lit from left (the newest candle) to right.
- Shamash usage: The shamash – which stands higher than or separated from the other candles – is used to light all other candles.
- The blessings: There are two blessings recited each night when lighting and three blessings recited on the first night (the Shehecheyanu).
The Blessings Recited
Blessings, or brachot are recited as a means of acknowledgment for being commanded by God to honor sacred teachings and the miracles created for the Jews during their Hanukkah commemoration.
Blessing one (for every night): “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.”
Blessing two (for every night): “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.”
Blessing three (for only first night): “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”
Family Traditions and Modern Interpretations
While everyone lights every night in the same order with blessings sung aloud, families adopt traditions surrounding when to light or other decorations. For example, some families sing songs about Hanukkah or stories of resilience; others enjoy crafting or purchasing a special menorah – menorahs come in all shapes and sizes from animals to superheroes to something more traditionally brass or wood.
Public Menorah Lightings
In modern decades public menorah lightings occur where universal messages of Hanukkah can be articulated with thousands; there are even gigantic menorahs at Grand Army Plaza in New York and even at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Why? Because ultimately Hanukkah is all about freedom – light is hope – and it’s a beautiful manifestation of Jewish identity.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Flames
Each flame represents something beyond one day of Hanukkah; for each subsequent flame represents an everyday teaching experience in faith.
For example:
- The first flame is a reminder that even a small act of kindness can create miraculous success.
- The second flame reminds us that as Jews, we can better ourselves every day.
- The third flame reflects on what’s inside us that we can share with all those around us.
Educational Value for Children
Lighting the menorah holds great value for children and their educators for it’s never too early to teach children about Judaism; it’s based on history, ancestor learning. Children learn why they light the menorah, who the designated purposes are (miracles during this holiday season), how to relate to their family histories (the Maccabees were brave soldiers!) and how to engage in crafts and games during Hanukkah itself.
Final Thoughts
Lighting the menorah is a candle by candle engrossing experience that for generations brings families together as miracles intertwine with warmth during some of winter’s darkest days. Whether it’s your first time lighting or you’ve been lighting your entire life, there’s a flame for every message of hope.