Candles – 44 Chanukah Candles in Mixed Colors

Description Size: 3.7″ high (9.5cm) THE NINE BRANCHED “MENORAH” (CANDELABRA) OR “CHANUKIAH” Chanukah is observed for eight days and it commemorates the historic victory of the Jewish patriots called Maccabeans.  This followed a three-year long uprising against the ruling Syrian-Greek regime and their Jewish Hellenistic supporters who conspired to impose restrictions against Jewish religious practices and values. The struggle culminated with the recapture of the Temple in 165 B.C. and the restoration of its traditional Jewish worship. The victory also restored Jewish political sovereignty over the land. “Chanukah” means “Dedication” and refers to the rededication of the Temple to the service of God after it had been defiled with pagan images. The Talmud explains that after the Syrian-Greeks defiled the Temple, only one small undefiled jug of oil for the Menorah still bearing the seal of the High Priest could be found. The jar only contained enough oil to burn for one day, and it would take 8 days to make more. Nevertheless, the High priest kindled the menorah and a miracle happened: the menorah flame continued to burn for eight days! To commemorate the event, it was decided that henceforth, the holiday would be observed annually by kindling one new light each day for eight days. Thus Chanukah became known as the Feast of Lights. The Chanukah menorah has nine branches, one for each of the 8 days and the middle stem, called the “Shamash,” or servant candle, which is used to light the other candles.  By the eighth day, every window in Israel and in Jewish homes elsewhere is aglow with the nine candles—one for each of the eight days, plus the servant candle.