In the Chanuka story, the flask of pure olive oil was ample to last for one day. Therefore, only the 7 other days that the oil remained lit was a miraculous. So why do we light eight candles and not seven?

Thank you for your question. The most famous book that addresses that issue was written in Hebrew and is called Ner L’mai’ah. The author supplies 100 (!) answers to the above mentioned question.

I will supply you with four of these answers:

1) 1/8 of the oil burned each day, meaning that each day had a miracle.
2) One day commemorates the military victory.
3) One day is for the miracle of finding the oil.
4) One day is to celebrate the annulment of the decrees that the Greeks imposed upon the Jews (such

as forbidding Torah study, circumcision, etc).

Original post by ATR

Shofar Kipoth Kosher Travel Passover Pesach Jewish Information Kosher Camps Orthodox Ask the Rabbi Bar Mitzvah Torah Binders Jewish Camps Star Of David Kashrut Guide Bat Mitzvah Kosher Hotels Menorah Jewish Law Ketubah Rosh Hashanah Hanukah Synagogue Shul Soncino Judaism Talit Jewish Politics Mezuzot Kosher Gifts Taleisim Ask a Rabbi Prayer Shawl Synagogue Items Torah Mantles Chapel Caps Kosher Guide Conservative Jewish Social Holocaust Sukkot Tallitot Enlightenment Chanukkah Benchers Jewish Music Yom Kippur Free Hanukkah Mezuzah Jewish Portal