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Hanukkah lights remind all of the ‘miracle of the oil'
The Talmud describes Hanukkah as a holiday of “praise and thanksgiving” in commemoration of the miraculous overthrow of the Syrian Greeks, the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the single cruse of oil that lasted eight days.
It is a mitzvah (commandment from God) that Jews “publicize the miracle” by lighting a Hanukkah Menorah, called a hanukkiyah. Menorah is the Hebrew word for lamp, and specifically refers to the seven-branched candelabrum that was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
While eight lights are required on the hanukkiyah, one to be lit each night of Hanukkah, it has become customary for the Hanukkah menorah to have places for nine flames. The ninth flame is called the shamash (“the servant”), for its purpose is to light the others.
The reason for the Hanukkah lights is not to light the house within, but to illuminate the house without so that all may see it and be reminded of the holiday’s miracle of the oil.
The best place to light the hanukkiyah is outside the doorway of the home, on the left side when entering. If this is not possible, then the menorah should be lit in a window facing the street.
The menorah should be lit at nightfall, but if necessary may be lit late into the night. All members of the household should be present, and the menorah should remain lit until at least 30 minutes after nightfall. On Friday afternoon, it should be lit before sundown.
Candles are lit with the shamash in a specific order, with the first one on the first night the one on the far right as you face the menorah. Each night an additional light is kindled — one on the first night, two on the second night; and so on — until on the eighth night of Hanukkah all eight candles, plus the shamash, are lit.
During or after the lights are kindled, the hymn, Hanerot Halelu, is recited. The song declares that the candles are holy, and that their sole purpose is to commemorate the events of Hanukkah. Unlike the Shabbat candles, they may not be used as a source of light.
