What Candles Symbolize During Hanukkah
By RHIANNON FAITH IRELAND
History - Science
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an annual Jewish festival during the Hebrew month of Kislev. It is sometimes called the "Festival of Lights" due to its importance.
Candle lighting represents the time when the ancient Greeks banned all Jewish rituals. Fighters called the Maccabees managed to reclaim the Sacred Temple from Hellenic troops.
The Maccabees only had a small amount of oil to light a lantern, but it burned for eight days once lit. For this reason, a candle is lit every day for eight days during Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is usually in late November or December. Lighting candles literally and metaphorically sweeps the cold weather blues and welcomes in the warmth and light.
Specific blessings are said before lighting any of the eight candles. Per the Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, lighting an extra candle each day can symbolize striving to improve.
It can also represent pride in being Jewish and a sense of justice. During the festival, special fried foods symbolize the oil the Maccabees used to light the lantern.