Hanukkah candles are special candles used during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Each night of the eight-day holiday, one additional candle is lit on a menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. The ninth candle, called the shamash, is used to light the others. The lighting of the Hanukkah candles symbolizes the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days, even though there was only enough for one day. Families often gather to recite blessings and sing songs while the candles burn, creating a warm and festive atmosphere during the holiday.