Maddie James
The menorah is a candelabra with a long history in Jewish tradition. It is used in a ritual during Hanukkah, a Jewish festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the subsequent rededication of the Holy Temple. The menorah is lit for eight nights, with blessings said and an additional candle added each night. The ninth candle, known as the shamash, is placed in the centre and used to light the others. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the front door. The candles can be wax or oil-based, with olive oil being the ideal fuel. The question of whether to take the unlit candles from the menorah is a matter of custom and preference, with some choosing to keep the unlit candles in place and others opting to remove them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 for each night of Hanukkah, plus 1 extra |
| Placement of candles | In a straight line, with the extra candle in the middle or at a different elevation |
| Direction of placement | From right to left |
| Direction of lighting | From left to right |
| Type of candles | Wax or oil-fueled |
| Type of wick | Cotton is preferred |
| Timing of lighting | After sunset or in the evening, ideally by sunset or up to 1.5 hours after sunset |
| Duration of burning | At least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to 1.5 hours on Friday evening |
| Blessings | Said before the candles are lit |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
In conclusion, the shamash candle plays a central role in the Hanukkah celebration. Its placement, lighting, and symbolic meaning all contribute to the ritual's richness and significance. The shamash candle serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the enduring spirit of the Jewish community.
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Placement of the candles
The placement of the candles on the menorah is important and holds cultural significance. The menorah should have eight spots for candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and an extra ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the other candles. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different elevation from the other eight candles. The shamash candle is lit first, and blessings are recited before the other candles are lit. The shamash is then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. The most recent candle is lit first, with the oldest candle being the first one placed on the far right.
The candles should be placed in a straight, even line, with no lights higher than others. The menorah should be placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside the front door. It should be placed to the left of the entrance if possible. The menorah should be positioned somewhere safe, away from children and flammable materials.
The type of candle used is also important. Wax candles are acceptable, but they must have a single wick. Cotton wicks are preferred because they produce a smooth flame. Olive oil is also used, and it is considered ideal as the miracle of Hanukkah involved olive oil. If using oil, the cups must contain enough oil to burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to one and a half hours on Fridays.
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Lighting the candles
The menorah is a candelabra with nine branches—eight candles for each night of Hanukkah and a ninth candle, known as the shamash or "helper" candle, which sits in the middle and is used to light the others. The shamash should be lit first, and then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. The newest candle gets the light first. The shamash is lit after the blessings have been said.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the front door. It should be placed somewhere visible, as the ancient rabbis felt it was important to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah. It should be far from active children and flammable materials.
The candles should be placed in the menorah from right to left, with the candle of the first night in the far-right position. The second night's candle is placed to the immediate left of the first, and so on. The shamash is placed in the centre.
The type of candle is also important. Wax candles are acceptable, but they must have a single wick. Cotton wicks are preferred because of the smooth flame they produce. If using oil, the cups must hold enough oil to burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to one-and-a-half hours on Friday evenings.
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The miracle of Chanukah
According to the Talmud and other traditional sources, the miracle occurred when the Maccabees discovered only a single cruse of pure olive oil sealed by the High Priest, enough to light the Menorah for a single day. Yet, miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted for eight days, the duration required for the rededication ritual. This extraordinary event came to be known as the miracle of the cruse of oil.
The annual celebration of Hanukkah serves as a reminder of this miracle. Each night, blessings are recited, and an additional candle is lit on the Menorah, starting with one candle on the first night and culminating in all eight candles burning brightly on the final night, along with the helper candle, or shamash. This ritual commemorates the miracle of the oil and serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.
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Types of menorahs
The menorah is a symbol of Hanukkah and one of the essential silverware in the Jewish showcase. The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum with eight main branches and a raised ninth lamp, called the shamash, used to light the other lamps. The shamash was not originally associated with Hanukkah, but the word was adopted in the 16th century.
There are various types of menorahs, including standing, hanging, and Chabad menorahs. Chabad menorahs are angular rather than rounded and are well-known as Chabad has a long tradition of lighting menorahs in public places around the world. Small menorahs are suitable for travellers, while wall menorahs are often chosen by Yeshiva students or those who want an extra menorah.
The type of menorah that someone uses can say a lot about them. For example, someone who uses a pocket menorah may like the idea of lighting candles on the go. A person who uses a menorah tree may be trying to navigate the complexities of a mixed-religion family during the Christmas period.
Some people may have a menorah that their child made in Hebrew school, while others may have bought one during a trip to Israel when they were feeling inspired to be more religious. There are also budget options available for those who cannot afford an expensive menorah.
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Frequently asked questions
The Menorah commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, when there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but the oil burned for eight days.
The Menorah should have eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and an extra ninth candle, known as the Shamash, which is used to light the others.
Wax candles with a single wick are acceptable, and it is best to use cotton wicks as they produce a smooth flame. If using oil, olive oil is preferable as the miracle of Chanukah happened with olive oil.
The Shamash candle is lit first and then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. On the first night, only two candles are lit—the Shamash and the first night's candle. Each night, another candle is added, so on the eighth night, all nine candles are lit.
The Menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door, ideally outside the house to the left of the entrance.
