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What does the candles stand for the menorah?

In: Judaism, Hanukkah [Edit categories]

Answer:

There are 9 candles that are lit on Hanukkah. One is the helper candle ("shamash") used to light the other 8, which symbolize the 8 days of Hanukkah.

A story in the Talmud (500 years after the Maccabean War) tells of a legendary miracle. After the war, When the Jews returned to rededicate the Ancient Temple, they found that there was only enough oil to keep the eternal lamp burning for 1 day. It would take 8 days to make more of this special oil. So they lit the lamp, and it miraculously burned for 8 days, giving them plenty of time to make more oil to keep the lamp burning.

Although this is just a legend, in modern times, we light candles to symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days.

Contributor:

Adamlance

First answer by Adamlance. Last edit by Adamlance. Contributor trust: 219 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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