The book of Hebrews gives us some help on our quest, reminding us in chapter 8 that all the items God told Moses to make “serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” It might seem strange to our ears sometimes, but if we are willing to “seek diligently” as the two central words of the Torah say, then we can find some wonderful truths hidden in God’s law. Every tiny detail has been considered to perfection. When we see the instructions that God gives to Moses on how precisely to build the tabernacle, we are struck by the incredible amount of detail involved. On one branch are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a ring of outer leaves and petals likewise on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a ring of outer leaves and petals and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah… Make seven lamps for the menorah, and mount them so as to give light to the space in front of it.” (verses 31-37, Complete Jewish Bible) It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on one side of it and three on the other. It is to be made of hammered work its base, shaft, cups, ring of outer leaves and petals are to be of one piece with it.
#Light my menorah how to#
It first appears in Exodus chapter 25, as God instructs them how to make it: Perhaps the New Covenant has some answers? But historians don’t really know why this symbol rather than any other. For millennia, it was the symbol of the people of Israel, long before the Star of David. During all eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations.Īnd there we will bring a thanksgiving offering.If you look at the ancient buildings and archaeological findings in Israel, you will notice that the symbol of the menorah appears time and time again. These lights we kindle upon the miracles, the wonders, the salvations, and the battles which you performed for our forefathers in those days at this season through Your holy priests. Ve’ein lanu reshus le’hishtamesh ba’hem, eh’la lir’osam bilvad, ke’dei le’hodos u’lehalel leshimcha hagadol al nisecha ve’al nifle’osecha ve’al yeshu’oshecha.” Vechol sh’monas yemei Chanukah, haneiros halalu kodesh hem.
“Ha’Neiros halalu anachnu madlikin al hanisim ve’al hanifla’os, ve’al hat’shu’os ve’al hamilchamos, sh’asisa la’avoseinu bayamim hahem baz’man hazeh, al yedei kohaneicha hakedoshim. It is customary to begin saying the first of these after lighting the first light to the point that it is burning on its own, while (on the second and other nights) lighting the remaining lights. “Baruch ata Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha’olam, She’hecheyanu, vekiyemanu vehigi’anu laz’man hazeh” Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.Īfter reciting the blessings and lighting the candles, the following paragraphs should recited or sung.
#Light my menorah plus#
In order to light the lights for Chanukah, you don’t even need a Menorah! Obviously it is great to have one, but if not, arrange a total of eight candles or cups of oil (with wicks) in a row, plus an additional one to serve as the “Shamash.” The Shamash is the only one used to light other lights, and should be placed higher, lower, or off to the side of the others.