Hanukkah Candles
Hanukkah candles are lit to pay
tribute to the Miracle of Oil. The legend goes that The small amount of
purified oil found in the Holy Temple was worth lighting only one candle.
Miraculously, the oil lit all the eight candles on the Menorah for eight days continuously.
This gave rise to the festival of Hanukkah in which, lighting candles on the
special candelabrum is amongst the most important traditions. A wide variety of
Menorahs, such as those made of glass, porcelain, crystal and metals including
silver, brass, aluminum, and gold, is available in stores. A combination of
different materials is also used to make beautiful Menorahs, for the festival
of Hanukkah. Nowadays, plastic Menorahs, with electrical Chanukkah lights, are
also available in the market.
Beautiful candles, such as the
popularly used multi-colored ones and blue and white ones, are available in the
stores during the Hanukkah season. Since Menorah is vital for the festival,
without which the occasion is incomplete. Hence, it is important to know
certain defining characteristics of Menorah. You should also know the pattern
of lighting the Hanukkah candles. Here is a brief description about Menorah and
Hanukkah candles. Read on.
Seven-branched Menorah, called as
'Shabbat', is available in the stores. But, the Menorah used in Hanukkah has
nine branches. It is called as Chanukiah (or Hanukkiah).
All the eight candles of
Chanukiah must be in a straight line while Shamash (the 'servant candle')
should be out of alignment with the other candles and should be positioned at
the middle of the candelabrum, positioned slightly higher than the rest of the
candles.
Hanukkah candles should be lit
only after the sunset or later. The candle on the extreme right of the
Chanukiah is lit on the first night. The first two Jewish prayers are chanted
before lighting the first candle.
On the second night, light the
two candles on the right using the already lit Shamash.
On the third night, place three
candles on the extreme right and again, light the candles using the Shamash.
Repeat the above procedure on the
following days.
Remember, all the candles should
be lit ONLY with Shamash.
The ideal position of the Menorah
is window or the open door, where the passers by could see your Hanukkiah.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.