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The Hanukkah menorah is symbolic of the "miracle of the oil" that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem around 200 BC. It is also why the Hanukkah celebration is sometimes referred to as "The Festival of the Lights." When the Maccabee army defeated the Assyrians, and liberated the Jewish people, they dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, but they only had enough oil to light the candle in the Temple for one day. A miracle took place, and the candle stayed lit for eight straight days. This is why there are eight candles lit on the Hanukkah menorah.

In the Jewish tradition, the menorah is especially important to the Hanukkah celebration. The family gathers around the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah and recites special blessings and prayers to God, thanking him for the "miracle of the oil", and for their health and prosperity. Along with the lighting of the candles, the menorah serves as a public statement about their faith. Menorahs decorate the windows of the Jewish home, as a symbol of their faith.

One interesting aspect of the Jewish menorah is that they can light the candles during the Hanukkah celebration only. It is against Jewish law to light the menorah candles at any other time. Ancient menorahs were made of clay, but today they come in many different styles and sizes. The contemporary menorah is colorful, and personalized as well. It is important to teach children about the customs associated with the menorah. Many families take turns lighting the candles, although traditionally, it was the man who lit the candles for the family.

The largest menorah ever built was in New York City's Central Park in 1998. It was 32-feet high, gold in color, and made of steel. The designer, Yaakov Agam, was inspired by the menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. It was lit every night by a "cherry-picker" crane, and lit up the city. There have other attempts to create the largest menorah in the world, but so far, New York has the record.

The legacy of the menorah began during the Maccabee war with the Assyrians. The widow Judith sacrificed herself to captivate the ruler of their sworn enemy, and she succeeded in bringing home his head. The defeat of their tyrants, and liberation to the people created the need for the Temple dedication. This is how the first menorah came to be. It is a sacred covenant between God and the Jewish people, and the lighting of the menorah on Hanukkah is one of the most important traditions that the Jews continue to observe.

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