Hanukkah candles are specifically-designed candles to be used during Hanukkah, a traditional celebration of the Jewish faith.http://www.dimensionsguide.com/hanukkah-candles-sizes/ The lighting of Hanukkah candles is the only religious observance related to the eight-day event, which is also known as The Festival of Lights.http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday7.html http://www.dimensionsguide.com/hanukkah-candles-sizes/ Hanukkah candles are presented in a candelabrum called a "hanukia," which is often incorrectly referred to as a "menorah." (According to The Jewish Virtual Library, only the seven-branched candelabrum housed in the Jewish Temple is known as a menorah.http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday7.html)
Hannukkah candles are often four inches high, and can be of different dimensions to fit into their individual hanukias. To give the celebration a traditional touch, candles made in Israel are commonly sought after.http://www.dimensionsguide.com/hanukkah-candles-sizes/
How Hanukkah Candles are Used
Nine candles - one for each night of the religious event, and a shamash (or servant candle) - are mounted in the hanukia. A candle is placed in the far right of the hanukia on the first night of Hanukkah, and the shamash is lit. At the same time, three blessings (known as "berakhot") are said. According to The Jewish Virtual Library, these are a "general prayer over candles," a "prayer thanking G-d for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time," and a "general prayer thanking G-d for allowing us to reach this time of year."http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday7.html Following these prayers, the lit shamash candle is used to light the first candle before being returned to its place. The candles can be left to burn out on their own after at least half an hour. As with the Hebrew language, candles are added from right to left on each of the following Hanukkah nights. The candles are lit from left to right to "pay honor to the newer thing first."http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday7.html
Hanukkah Dates
Hanukkah begins on these days on the U.S. calendar:
- December 2, 2010 (Jewish Year 5771)
- December 21, 2011 (Jewish Year 5772)
- December 9, 2012 (Jewish Year 5773) http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday7.html
How to Light Hanukkah Candles
Rabbi Eli Levitansky shares information on how to light Hannukah candles. The menorah is lit with a lighting candle called the shamus. The first night only has one candle with each new night adding a candle. The first night has three blessings and other nights have two. This video is part of a series published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Celebrate Hanukkah
Rabbi Eli Levitansky shares information on how to celebrate Hanukkah. The holiday is celebrated with friends and family as the menorah is lit each night. Menorahs are lit at home and also in public to share the light of the holiday with everyone. Hanukkah is also celebrated with traditional foods and games.
How to Spell Hanukkah
Viewers learn how to spell Hanukkah the traditional way in this Mahalo.com tutorial. Rabbi Eli Levitansky teaches traditional spelling of "Chanukah" and offers proper pronunciation tips. More Hanukkah (Chanukah) tutorials are available for viewing on the MahaloDotCom YouTube account.
First Night of Hanukkah
Viewers learn about the tradition of celebrating Hanukkah with Rabbi Eli Levitansky. Levitanski describes the different rituals that accompany this holiday, including the blessings used during the first day of Hannukah and those used on subsequent days. This Mahalo.com produced video is part of a series about Hanukkah published on the Mahalo.com channel on YouTube.
Hanukkah Latkes and Sufganiyot
Rabbi Eli Levitansky talks about traditional Hanukkah foods in this video. Featured are latkes and sufganiyot. Full descriptions are provided about the food as well as why they became traditional at Hanukkah time. This Mahalo.com produced video is part of a series about Hanukkah published on the Mahalo.com channel on YouTube.
How to Play the Dreidel on Hanukkah
Rabbi Evi Levitansky discusses how to play the dreidel on Hanukkah. The dreidel is a four sided spinning top played with during the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. This video is part of a wider series available on the Mahalo.com channel of videos available on YouTube.
What is Hanukkah Gelt?
Rabbi Eli Levitansky returns with another Mahalo.com produced video, this one teaches viewers about the tradition of Hanukkah gelt. The video focuses on money, which is given to children at Hanukkah. This video is part of a wider series of videos produced on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
What Time Does Hanukkah begin?
Host Rabbi Eli Levitansky discusses the timing of the beginning of Hannukah. As with all Jewish holidays, Hannukah begins at sundown. Produced by Mahalo.com, this video is part of the Mahalo.com channel on YouTube. Levitansky encourages viewers who have requests for Mahalo to send an email detailing their requests to the site.
When is Hanukkah?
Rabbi Eli Levitanksy discusses the timing of Hannukah, which he states varies every year if one is using a non-religious calendar. He gives the date of Hannukah in 2010 and a website where accurate Hannukah dates can be obtained. This video is part of the Mahalo.com channel published on YouTube. More videos related to the traditional Jewish holiday of Hannukah are found there.
What is Hanukkah?
Rabbi Eli Levitansky discusses what Hannukah is, (the celebration of lights) in this Mahalo.com produced video. The traditions and history of Hanukkah are discussed as well as what it represents today. This video is published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube and is part of a wider series focusing on Hanukkah.
References
Fast Facts
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Hanukkah also known as
The Festival of Lights
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Candle size
Usually four inches high
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No. of candles
There are nine candles on the hanukia
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Shamash candle
Also called the servant candle, used to light others
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Lighting ritual
Three blessings spoken as the shamash candle is lit
