Jessie Taylor
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The menorah should have eight candles or wicks on the same level, with an additional shamash candle, which is used to light the others. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other candles. While wax candles and oil lamps are both permissible, the use of electric lights or gas flames is forbidden. The candles should be lit for at least 30 minutes, and it is customary for women not to work during this time. The menorah should ideally be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance, but due to anti-Semitism, it is often placed inside near the entrance or on a table.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 candles and 1 shamash |
| Arrangement | In a straight line, not a semicircle |
| Height | Maximum height of 31 feet |
| Duration | Burn for at least half an hour |
| Type of candles | Wax candles with a single wick |
| Type of oil | Any type of oil, preferably olive oil |
| Wicks | Cotton or linen wicks |
| Placement | Outside the house to the left of the entrance |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle must be separate from the eight main candles
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that represent the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds the shamash candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant", must be set apart from the eight main candles. This distinction symbolises that the shamash candle is not one of the Chanukah candles. While the eight candles should be arranged in a straight line, the shamash candle can be positioned either above or below the other candles, on a higher or lower plane. This positioning reinforces its separate function as the "attendant" candle.
The shamash candle is essential for lighting the other candles, and its placement should reflect its unique role. It is forbidden to light the shamash candle from the Chanukah candles. Additionally, the shamash candle should not be used for any other purpose, as it is specifically designated for the ritual of lighting the menorah.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of Chanukah, which occurred with olive oil. Thus, while wax candles are permissible, olive oil is considered the ideal fuel for the menorah. It is also important to ensure that the candles or oil lamps burn for at least half an hour, as sitting and admiring the lights after they are lit is an integral part of the lighting ritual.
To summarise, the shamash candle plays a distinct role in the Hanukkah menorah by serving as the "helper" candle to light the other eight. Its separate placement above or below the main candles symbolises its unique function and reinforces the ritual's significance.
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Candles should be made of wax or oil, not electric
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights, with one additional candle, called the shamash, used to light the other eight. The shamash is typically placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. The menorah's lights should be level or on an even slant, not with some randomly higher than others.
The menorah can be fuelled by wax candles or oil lamps, with olive oil being the ideal fuel source as the miracle of Chanukah transpired with olive oil. Wax candles must have a single wick, and they should burn for at least half an hour to allow for the lighting ritual. The same wicks may be used repeatedly, and it is best to use cotton wicks.
While electric menorahs are considered kosher, they are not ideal according to some opinions. Electric lights are forbidden for use during Hanukkah by several authorities because they lack oil and wicks. The use of electric menorahs with batteries is considered permissible by some, but those plugged into an outlet are not. The use of gas lamps is also forbidden.
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Candles must be lit for at least 30 minutes
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The menorah should have eight candle or oil lamp holders, and one more, set apart from the rest, for the shamash or "helper" candle. The shamash is used to light the other eight.
The candles should be lit for at least 30 minutes. This is because, in Judaism, sitting and admiring the candles after they are lit is an essential part of the lighting ritual. It is customary for women not to work for at least the first half-hour of the candles' burning. If you cannot stay with the candles for more than 30 minutes, for example, due to a fire hazard, you can blow them out after this time.
The candles can be wax candles or oil lamps, as long as they burn for at least half an hour. Wax candles must have a single wick, and it is best to use cotton wicks. The same wicks may be used repeatedly. The oil should not be made of a forbidden substance, nor should it be something from which it is forbidden to derive benefit. If it is an oil menorah, the oil cups must hold enough oil to burn for at least 1.5 hours.
The menorah should be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance. However, due to anti-Semitism in Jewish history, it became customary to place the menorah inside the house, near the entrance or on a table. In America, most people light their menorahs indoors.
There are some differing opinions on the arrangement of the candles. The shamash must be offset on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. Most agree that the menorah's lights should be level or on an even slant, not with some randomly higher than others. It is preferable to have the candles in a straight line, not a semicircle, but it is permitted to have them in a semi-circle as long as each candle is clearly separated.
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The menorah should be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance
The tradition of lighting a menorah during Hanukkah is an important one, and there are several rules and customs to follow to ensure it is done correctly. The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles or oil lamps representing each night of the eight-day celebration. On each night, one more candle is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash should be placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles, and the candles should be level or on an even slant. The ideal position for the menorah is outside the house to the left of the entrance. This is because, historically, antisemitism was so prevalent that it became customary to place the menorah inside the house, near the entrance, or on a table. However, it is still preferable to display the menorah in a public space, and in modern times, it has become more common to light the menorah indoors.
In the United States, for example, most people light their menorahs inside their homes. If lighting the menorah outdoors, it is best to place it outside the doorway, next to the left side of the door. If lighting indoors, it is customary to place the menorah near the entrance or on a table. Safety regulations should also be considered when choosing a location, especially in university housing, where candles may not be permitted in student rooms. In these cases, a designated common area may be provided for lighting the menorah.
The menorah should be lit either at sunset, ten minutes after sunset, or at nightfall, and the candles should burn for at least thirty minutes. It is customary for women not to work during the first half-hour of the candles burning, and some refrain from working for the entire duration. The candles can be wax or oil-based, and olive oil is preferable. All wicks are considered kosher, but cotton or linen is preferable.
It is important to note that the menorah should not be used for illumination, and leftover wicks and oils should be destroyed after the celebration, as they should not be used for any other purpose.
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The candles should be arranged in a straight line
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or "'helper'" candle, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is typically placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles.
There are differing opinions on whether the candles must be arranged in a straight line. Some sources state that it is preferable to arrange the candles in a straight line, rather than a semicircle, with the lights level or on an even slant. However, other sources suggest that it is permitted to arrange the candles in a semicircle, as long as each candle is clearly separated from the others.
According to Rabbi Mordechai Becher, the candles or wicks should all be on the same level, with none higher or lower than the others. This is to ensure that the shamash, or helper candle, is distinct from the other eight candles.
It is important to note that the type of candle used is also significant. Wax candles are acceptable, as long as they have a single wick, and oil lamps are also permissible. The ideal fuel for the menorah is olive oil, as it was the miracle of Chanukah that transpired with olive oil.
The menorah should be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance, or near the entrance or on a table if placed inside. It is customary for women not to work during the first half-hour of the candles' burning and to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise during meals.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the candles used for Hanukkah need to be kosher.
The menorah must have eight candle or oil holders and one additional holder for the shamash, or "helper" candle. The shamash candle should be placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The candles should be arranged in a straight line and be level with each other.
Wax candles with a single wick are acceptable, as long as they burn for at least half an hour. Oil lamps are also permissible, and olive oil is the ideal fuel. Electric bulbs are generally not considered ideal, but some opinions consider them kosher.
It is customary for everyone in the household, including men, women, and children, to light their own candles. The candles are typically lit after sunset or into the night, as long as there are people awake to see them. The lighting is usually done outside the doorpost of the home in public view.
All wicks are kosher, but cotton or linen wicks are preferable. Leftover wicks and oils should be destroyed after Hanukkah, except for unused oil. The oil should not be made from forbidden substances, and it should be of a suitable quality.
