Historically, the Jewish festival of lights, also known as “Dedication,” is celebrated to commemorate a military victory of the past, and the rededication of the Temple which was destroyed by the enemy. But, more importantly, it is an occasion for gratefully remembering the power of divine will that makes survival and victory possible.
Hanukah
The festival of lights shares its name with the sacred nine-branched candelabrum of the Jews which is also called Hanukah in Hebrew. In the symbolic representation of the eternal faith burning in the Jewish heart, the Hanukah is lit, one candle on each subsequent night until the entire candelabrum is fully lit. This is a ritualistic way of reinforcing the Jewish faith that “Not by might nor by power but by My spirit (will ye prevail) says the Lord of Hosts”. As the light emitted by the Hanukah is considered holy, no one is supposed to use it to serve their worldly requirements, like reading or other purposes.