As many people worldwide prepare for Christmas, let’s not forget that it isn’t the only holiday to celebrate heading into the New Year. Canada boasts the world’s fourth-largest Jewish community, making Hanukkah a pretty big deal.
One of the most popular parts of the holiday, which runs this year from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2, is the lighting of the menorah. Whether you want to learn more about the significance of a menorah or your curiosity is peaked thanks to a certain hot rabbi in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, read on for more details on the notable tradition.
What’s the Story Behind the Menorah?
The menorah, a word that means “lamp” in Hebrew, goes back to the second century BCE. It was a candelabra with seven branches, each representing a day of creation. The menorah was initially found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem, reports Britannica.
God initially revealed the design of the menorah to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was to be made from a single piece of gold, with three branches on one side, three on the other, and one in the middle. Thus, it also looks like the tree of life. Oil filled the tops of the branches, which were lit and never supposed to go out in a symbol of light.
When conflicts arose between the Egyptian and the Greek-Assyrian Empires, Judaism was outlawed and the Temple was destroyed. According to legends, a group known as the Maccabees kept the religion alive, and eventually, they took back the Temple and relit the menorah. Miraculously, one day’s worth of oil lasted for eight days.
What Is the Difference Between a Menorah and a Hanukkah Menorah?
The traditional menorah, which lived in the Temple, had seven branches. However, because of the story, the Hanukkah menorah (also called a Hanukkiyah) has four branches on each side and one in the middle. That represents the eight nights the Temple menorah burned, plus one to light them all. The Hanukka menorah is lit during Hanukkah, while the initial menorah is used in temples and seen as an overall symbol of Judaism and faith.
What do the Menorah Candles Represent?
The candles on the Hanukkah menorah represent the number of days that the Temple lantern stayed lit on that one day’s worth of oil. The ninth candle, also known as a shamash, is the candle that’s used to light the others.
Families light one candle on the first day of Hanukkah after sundown, two on the second day, three on the third day, and so on until all eight candles and the shamash are lit.
Why is Lighting the Menorah Important?
There are many personal reasons that people light the menorah each Hanukkah, including the renewal of faith and the celebration of people looking after one another. It can also remind you to do what’s right, symbolizing an eternal flame of hope and perseverance.
When celebrated with families, lighting the menorah can symbolize the renewal of Judaism and faith from generation to generation and the ability to do so with an open heart and without fear of persecution.
