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The real miracle of Hanukkah is that the Jews were victorious, against all odds, they beat their enemy and were able to restore the Ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the Greeks. In a larger context, Hanukkah represents victory against religious persecution and assimilation.
But a second miracle is more commonly known: A story in the Talmud (500 years later) tells of a legendary miracle. After the war, When the Jews returned to rededicate the Ancient Temple, they found that there was only enough oil to keep the eternal lamp burning for 1 day. It would take 8 days to make more of this special oil. So the lit the lamp, and it miraculously burned for 8 days, giving them plenty of time to make more oil to keep the lamp burning.
This second miracle is very popular with children. It is understood as a legend only, and appears to be the early Rabbis' attempt to add a spiritual level to the holiday.
What else can I help you with?
What do the candles on the menorah symbolize in Jewish tradition?
The candles on the menorah symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, where a small amount of oil lasted for eight days in the Jewish Temple.
Who asks why we light eight candles instead of seven candles on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah commemorates this miracle with the lighting of candles on eight successive nights. A Hanukkah menorah, with nine branches instead of the seven on a regular menorah, is used for this purpose. Eight of the candles are lit one by one on each night of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, known as the shamash, is lit every night and used to kindle the other candles.The Beis Yosef has a famous question: Why do we light for eight nights, if the miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil lasted for seven extra nights? (There are many answers given to this question. Many as in over one hundred!)
What are wax items used on Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah, wax items primarily refer to the candles used in the menorah. Each night, a candle is lit to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. The menorah holds nine candles: eight for each night of Hanukkah and one, the shamash, used to light the others. These candles are often colorful and can be made from various types of wax, symbolizing the joy and light of the holiday.
How many days of chanaka?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, lasts for eight days. It begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and typically falls in late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Each night, a candle is lit on the menorah to celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the rededicated Temple.
What does the menorah symbolize?
The menorah is a religious symbol in Judaism. The original 7-branch menorah was placed in the Temple and its flames burned at night (Leviticus ch.24). In modern synagogues, a single flame (usually electric) represents this ancient mitzvah. It symbolizes G-d's eternal presence among the people. Other information: The Hanukkah-menorah (also called a Hanukkiyah) is an eight-branched candle holder used on the 8 days of Hanukkah. Eight of the flames symbolize the eight days of the miracle, while a ninth candle is next to them and is used to light the others.
What is the name of the seven-candle holder for Hanukkah?
It is called a Menorah. It has seven candles because that was the number of oil lamps on the menorah in the Holy Temple (Exodus ch.25). The Hanukkah-menorah has eight candles because that was the number of days of the miracle with the oil.
What is haunuka?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. It celebrates the miracle of the oil, where a small amount of oil, enough for one day, lasted for eight days in the temple's menorah. Traditions include lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot. Hanukkah typically falls in late November to late December.
What was the Jewish holiday that commemorates the recapture cleansing and rededication of the Temple in the second century BC?
The Jewish holiday that commemorates the recapture, cleansing, and rededication of the Temple in the second century BC is Hanukkah. It celebrates the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the miracle of the oil, where a small amount of oil lasted eight days in the Temple's menorah. Hanukkah is observed by lighting the menorah, playing games, and enjoying traditional foods.
Why 9 instead of 7 branches on the menorah?
The menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, is a significant symbol in Jewish tradition, but the nine-branched version, known as the hanukkiah, is specifically used during Hanukkah. The additional two branches represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, plus the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the others. This distinction highlights the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple. Thus, the nine branches serve a specific purpose in celebrating this important festival.
Why does a temple menorah have fewer arms than others?
The Menorah in the Holy Temple had seven arms (Exodus ch.25). Hannukah menorahs have eight or nine; eight for the eight days of the miracle with the oil in the Holy Temple, and the ninth to use in lighting the others. Sometimes five candles are lit for prayers. This is done when a mourner is praying; it represents the five levels of the soul of the departed.
WHAT DO JEWS USE FOR HANUKKAH?
A Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, which is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. 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. See:More about Hanukkah
Which of these is an eight-branched candlestick used during the festival of lights?
The candelabra used during Hanukkah is called a Hanukkah-menorah or hanukkiah. It represents the miracle of a one-day's oil supply burning for 8 days in the Holy Temple, which is a part of the reason for the celebration of Hanukkah.
