A miracle that God did.
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) were miraculously victorious. When they reached the Temple grounds, they immediately reconsecrated it to God. As part of this action, they relit the Menorah (Exodus ch.25), which was fueled with olive oil. However, it soon became apparent that there was only sufficient oil to keep the candelabra burning for one single day - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence still dwelt in the Holy Temple. This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil. It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
You might mean the Jewish star, or Magen David. There is no Hanukkah symbol represented by a star.
The six-pointed Jewish star is a very familiar symbol in modern times - it is known famously for its use on the Israeli flag. In the context of Chanukah, you may see it on gift wrapping paper, decorations, menoras, etc. But it is not specific to that holiday.
There's no such thing.
You might mean the Jewish star, or Magen David. There is no Hanukkah symbol represented by a star.
The six-pointed Jewish star is a very familiar symbol in modern times - it is known famously for its use on the Israeli flag. In the context of Chanukah, you may see it on gift wrapping paper, decorations, menoras, etc. But it is not specific to that holiday.
Nothing. The word Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is the Hebrew word for dedication. It's not an acronym.
There is no such thing as a Hanukkah star.
each candle stands for one day of the miracle of Hanukkah, except for the Shamash (9th candle) which is just a helper candle used to light the others.
If you light the yahrzeit candle before it's time to light the Hanukkah-menorah, you may light the yahrzeit candle first. Otherwise, once it's past sunset, you should wait until about 20 minutes after sunset, light the Hanukkah-menorah, and afterwards light the yahrzeit candle.
Yes, you light candles on ALL 8 nights of Hanukkah.
The Hanukkah candles don't have names, except for referring to them generically, as neirot Hanukkah (candles of Hanukkah). The one candle which does have a name is the extra one, used to light the others, which is called the shamash (helper).See also:More about Hanukkah
It is called the shamash (servant). See also:More about Hanukkah
The shamash does not represent anything or stand for anything. It is the "servant" candle used to light the others and to provide light. The other 8 candles stand for the 8 days of Hanukkah. The shamash is usually the center candle and stands out from the others by being elevated, but it can be at the end or the row or in front of the row, so long as it stands out from the other 8.
The candle used to light the other candles on the menorah or chanukiah is called the shamash.
Any candle is acceptable. Some prefer tapers made of beeswax.
Eight for the eight days of Hanukkah. The ninth is for the helper-candle used to light the others.
=On the last night of Hanukkah their are 8 candles burning.==However, you have to add one extra candle called the "shamash" which is a candle higher than all and you use the "shamash" to light every candle from left to right. they are lit to commemorate the Hanukkah miracles.=
The menorah is the standard term for the 9-branched candle holder used on Hanukkah. Others call it a Chanukiah or Hanukkiyyah. Each night of Hanukkah, candles are lit to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. On the first night, one candle is lit (plus the helper candle used to light the others), ending with 8 candles on the 8th night.
The shamash (helper or attendant) is used to light the Hanukkah menorah or hanukiyah.