Candle and Flame:
The Meaning of the Yahrzeit Candle and Flame:
In Jewish tradition, the candle flame is often thought to symbolically represent the human soul, and lighting candles is an important part of many Jewish religious occasions from Shabbat to Passover seders. The connection between candle flames and souls derives originally from the Book of Proverbs (chapter 20 verse 27): "The soul of man is the candle of God." Like a human soul, flames must breathe, change, grow, strive against the darkness and, ultimately, fade away. Thus, the flickering flame of the Yahrzeit candle helps to remind us of the departed soul of our loved one and the precious fragility of our life and the lives of our loved ones. Lives that must be embraced and cherished at all times.
In Jewish tradition, the candle flame is often thought to symbolically represent the human soul, and lighting candles is an important part of many Jewish religious occasions from Shabbat to Passover seders. The connection between candle flames and souls derives originally from the Book of Proverbs (chapter 20 verse 27): "The soul of man is the candle of God." Like a human soul, flames must breathe, change, grow, strive against the darkness and, ultimately, fade away. Thus, the flickering flame of the Yahrzeit candle helps to remind us of the departed soul of our loved one and the precious fragility of our life and the lives of our loved ones. Lives that must be embraced and cherished at all times.
Candles in Jewish Customs:
- Candles are lit prior to every Shabbat in Jewish homes or synagogues before sunset on Friday evening.
- At the end of Shabbat, a special braided Havdalah candle is lit, in which the candle, or fire, represents the first work of the new week.
What does the 7 candles in a menorah stand for?
- During Chanukah, candles are lit on the Chanukiyah each night to commemorate the rededication of the Temple, when the oil that should have lasted just one night lasted for a miraculous eight nights.
- Candles are lit prior to major Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot.
- Memorial candles are lit by Jewish families on the yahrzeit (anniversary of a death) of close loved ones every year.
- The eternal flame, or Ner Tamid, found in most synagogues above the ark where the Torah scrolls are kept is meant to represent the original flame of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, although most synagogues use electric lamps instead of actual oil lamps today for safety reasons.
What does the 7 candles in a menorah stand for?
The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the centre light representing the Sabbath.
What is the Jewish 7 candle holder called?
The Hanukkah menorah, also chanukiah or hanukkiah (Hebrew: מנורת חנוכה menorat ḥanukkah, pl. ... The hanukkiah, along with the seven-branched menorah and the Star of David, is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
What is the difference between a 7 candle menorah and a 9 candle menorah?
The seven branch candelabra is a menorah which was used in the holy temple. The nine branch candelabra is symbolic of the menorah, but adds a pair of branches for the 8 nights of Chanukah plus the tall candle called the shamesh. The nine branch "menorah" is called a Chanukiah because it is used to celebrate Chanukah.
What do the 9 candles on a menorah represent?
What is the Jewish 7 candle holder called?
The Hanukkah menorah, also chanukiah or hanukkiah (Hebrew: מנורת חנוכה menorat ḥanukkah, pl. ... The hanukkiah, along with the seven-branched menorah and the Star of David, is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
What is the difference between a 7 candle menorah and a 9 candle menorah?
The seven branch candelabra is a menorah which was used in the holy temple. The nine branch candelabra is symbolic of the menorah, but adds a pair of branches for the 8 nights of Chanukah plus the tall candle called the shamesh. The nine branch "menorah" is called a Chanukiah because it is used to celebrate Chanukah.
What do the 9 candles on a menorah represent?
Light the Menorah
The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
Does menorah have to be in straight line?
Most glaringly, the eight candles for the eight days must be arranged in a straight line.
What side do you light the menorah on first?
Most sources agree that we put the candles in from the right side, then light the newest candle first which means that we light from left to right.
How long do you leave the Menorah lit?
If it is Shabbat, use long-lasting candles and make sure that they burn for at least a half an hour after the sun sets. If you have to leave the house, let the candles burn for at least 30 minutes after sunset, then extinguish them for safety purposes.
The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
Does menorah have to be in straight line?
Most glaringly, the eight candles for the eight days must be arranged in a straight line.
What side do you light the menorah on first?
Most sources agree that we put the candles in from the right side, then light the newest candle first which means that we light from left to right.
How long do you leave the Menorah lit?
If it is Shabbat, use long-lasting candles and make sure that they burn for at least a half an hour after the sun sets. If you have to leave the house, let the candles burn for at least 30 minutes after sunset, then extinguish them for safety purposes.
