Jessie Taylor
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is often associated with the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. The menorah holds a different number of candles depending on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah, is lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. The eight main branches hold candles that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, with one more candle lit each night until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The seven-branched menorah, on the other hand, is used for decorative purposes and is not lit. While the modern menorah uses candles, the ancient menorah burned oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 or 9 |
| Type of candles | Candles or oil lamps |
| Occasion | Hanukkah, Chrismukkah, Kwanzaa |
| Placement | Uncovered window, outdoors, in a synagogue, on an altar |
| Timing | All year round, eight consecutive nights, first night of Hanukkah |
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What You'll Learn
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. It has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel and is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was made out of pure gold, and the only source of fuel allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil.
The menorah is frequently used as a symbol in Jewish art. It is often depicted in Jewish funerary art and has been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of Christians and pagans. The menorah has been adopted by various groups as a symbol of Jewish identity. For example, in the 19th century, it was adopted as the symbol of the Zionists, and in the 20th century, it became the official emblem of the state of Israel.
The menorah is also closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. A Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, and the ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. On each night of Hanukkah, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited.
The use of the menorah as a symbol has evolved over time. In the early modern period, the menorah as a symbol gave way to the Star of David. However, it continues to be a powerful symbol in Jewish culture and history, connecting Jews across different periods and allowing them to deal with similar issues in contemporary contexts.
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The number of candles on a menorah
The menorah is a candelabra that appears in windows during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The number of candles on a menorah depends on the type of menorah. The ancient menorah burned oil and did not use candles, as candles were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE.
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. On each night of the eight-day festival, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The nine-branched menorah probably came into use at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph.
The seven-branched menorah, meanwhile, is used only for decorative purposes and is not lit. This type of menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art. The seven branches are said to represent the six types of secular human wisdom, plus one to remind us of the importance of God.
The kinara is a seven-candleholder similar to the menorah. It is associated with the African American festival of Kwanzaa, during which one candle is lit on each of the seven days.
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The use of candles or oil lamps
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. The first menorah was made from a single piece of gold and presented for use in the first Temple of Jerusalem. Throughout history, the menorah has been used as a symbol of worship and has been adapted to include the Hanukkah Menorah.
The menorah is most commonly associated with Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the ancient miracle of reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The number of candles on a menorah varies depending on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The seven-branched menorahs are used for decorative purposes and are not lit. The nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah, has eight branches that hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shammash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the others.
In the Byzantine Rite, the traditional practice is to use olive oil in the seven-lamp menorah. The use of oil in menorahs has ancient roots, as the original menorah burned oil rather than candles, which were not yet known in the Middle East. Today, the choice between candles and oil lamps may depend on personal preference, tradition, or practical considerations.
The menorah holds a significant place in Jewish worship and ritual, with the lighting of the candles or lamps being a central part of the Hanukkah celebration. The menorah is placed in an uncovered window or outdoors near the entrance of the home to spread the word of the miracles it symbolises.
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The placement of the menorah
The Chanukah menorah is ideally placed on the left side of the entrance, so that when one enters the house, they are surrounded by mitzvot – the mezuzah at the right and the Chanukah lights at the left. If there is no mezuzah on the door, the menorah is placed on the right.
The menorah was placed in the antechamber of the Temple sanctuary, against its southernmost wall. There is a dispute between scholars on whether the menorah was situated north to south, or east to west. The Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, who witnessed the Temple's destruction, states that the menorah was situated obliquely, to the east and south.
In the Byzantine Rite, the menorah stands on or behind the altar in the sanctuary. In the past, the menorah was also placed in the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, and later, in the temple.
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The lighting of the menorah
The menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed at a different elevation from the other eight candles, either higher or lower, or off to the side. The eight candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but they are lit from left to right.
The menorah is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, with one additional candle lit on each night. On the first night, only the shamash and one other candle are lit. On the final night, all nine candles are lit. The candles are lit after sundown, around nightfall.
Before lighting the candles, it is traditional to recite three blessings on the first night and two blessings on each subsequent night. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first, and then used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash is lit last, and the extra candle is blown out.
The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, or outdoors, to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah. In the US, there is an annual ceremony to light the National Menorah in Lafayette Park, attended by the President.
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Frequently asked questions
No, menorahs are typically associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which lasts eight days. The menorah is lit during this time to commemorate the ancient miracle of the oil lasting eight days.
Most menorahs have seven or nine candles. The seven-branched menorahs are used for decorative purposes and are not lit. The nine-branched menorahs are used for Hanukkah, with eight candles representing each night of the holiday and the ninth candle, called the Shamash, used to light the others.
The menorah is a symbol of religious freedom and worship in the Jewish faith. It is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses and was built in the desert by the high priest Aaron.
The menorah candles are placed from right to left and lit from left to right. The Shamash candle is used to light the other eight candles. The blessings are said before the candles are lit, with three blessings on the first night and two blessings on each subsequent night.
