This is because today, the menorah is most often associated with Hanukkah, the Jewish celebration of the seven-day battle against the Greek-Syrians in which the Jews reclaimed their Second Temple.
According to tradition, the temple menorah was to remain lit at all times, but only a single days' worth of pure oil was found inside the destroyed temple to keep the menorah lit.
However, during the reclaiming ceremonies, the oil lasted for eight days, at which time new oil could be purchased. This is seen as a miracle, and the reason for the number of candles on the Hanukkah menorah. Eight of the Hanukkah menorah's candles are level with each other, to symbolize the eight days that the oil lasted. The ninth candle which is either elevated or shorter than the others, is used to light the other eight candles, and referred to as the Shamash. The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
The menorah should be placed in an uncovered window, as part of the purpose for the candles is to spread the word of the miracles the menorah symbolizes.
Many families choose to light their menorahs outdoors, just to the left of the entrance of the home. Candles in a menorah are most commonly white, but any color can be used.
Hanukkah lasts for eight days, and each night one lit candle is added to the menorah. So, on the first night, the first candle is lit using the ninth candle, the Shamash attendant. The next night, two candles are lit.
This continues until the eighth night, when all of the candles are burning bright. Traditions and customs can vary from household to household, but the basic steps for lighting the menorah are:. There are several tips that can help you enjoy the lighting of a Hanukkah menorah.
Keep in mind that the lighting of menorah is a religious ceremony and should be approached with reverence. Family traditions dictate who lights the menorah. This is often the head of the household. Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.
Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season. Falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December. Light the candles from left to right to acknowledge the new candle representing the new night of Chanukah before the others. Always use the shamash to light the candles.
Never use an already lit candle to light the others. Place the shamash candle back in its slot. After you finish lighting the candles, place the shamash candle back in its slot. You have just finished lighting your chanukiah! Place the chanukiah in the window. Placing the chanukiah in the window is a way of proudly showing your Jewish heritage and traditions. A key part of the Chanukah story is the defeat of the Hellenistic forces by the ancient Jewish Maccabees.
The Greeks had taken over the ancient Jewish temple and were trying to smother the Jewish religion. This is why displaying the chanukiah and expressing your Judaism is an integral part of the holiday. The chanukiah belongs on the left side of a doorway, opposite the mezuzah on the right side, so that the family can be surrounded by mitzvot commandments as they celebrate Chanukah. Let the candles burn themselves out. Instead of blowing out or extinguishing the candles, let them run their course.
Make sure that they burn for at least a half an hour after sunset. If you have to leave the house, time it so that they burn for at least 30 minutes after you have lit them.
If you have to leave the house, let the candles burn for at least 30 minutes after sunset, then extinguish them for safety purposes. Part 3. Begin at sunset of the 24th day of the month of Kislev. Chanukah begins on the same day of the Jewish calendar each year, the 24th day of the month of Kislev. Because the Jewish and Roman calendars are different, Chanukah begins on a different day each year on the Roman calendar.
Gather your family or friends just after sunset. All Jewish holidays begin at sunset, so you should get your friends or family together with you to light the candles just after the sun sets. A large part of Judaism is sharing the miracle of Chanukah and passing the tradition onto your children. For this reason, try to include others in the candle lighting!
The exception is Friday night, when the menorah should be lit before sunset. This is because Friday night is the start of Shabbat, or the day of rest, and lighting the menorah constitutes as work which should not be done after Shabbat begins.
Place the shamash in the chanukiah. On your chanukiah, you should see 9 slots for candles, with eight slots on one level and one slot elevated above the rest. This is the spot for the shamash, or the candle used to light all the other candles. Place one candle in this elevated spot. Every night of Chanukah, you place and light the shamash first before the other candles. Its position also alludes to its important role of lighting the other candles.
Some choose traditional blue and white candles, while others prefer differently colored candles! People incorrectly call the chanukiah a menorah, but they have become accepted as the same thing. If you wish to be technically accurate, call the candelabra a chanukiah. You need to use a candle or oil chanukiah to fulfill the mitzvah the commandment or good deed of lighting the chanukiah.
Add the other candles. Every night of Chanukah, you add one more candle. On the first night of Chanukah, place a candle in the right-most slot.
Inside your apt. The only option is to light in the main lounge on your floor or another designated area. WHEN to light? At least thirty minutes. It is an extra mitzvah hiddur for the candles to last even longer. If you cannot stay with the candles for more than thirty minutes, and there is a fire hazard i.
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