Tyler Brooks
The menorah is a candelabrum with a long history in Judaism. The original menorah, also known as the Temple menorah, had seven branches and was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. It was inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses. Today, the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah, or Hanukkiah, is more popular and commonly used in Jewish homes during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. This version has eight branches to represent the eight nights of the holiday, with an additional helper branch called the shamash, used to light the others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles on a menorah for Hanukkah | 9 |
| Number of candles on a traditional menorah | 7 |
| What is the traditional menorah called? | Hanukkiah or Hanukkah menorah |
| What is the ninth candle called? | Shammash or helper candle |
| What do the candles symbolize? | The miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights |
| What is the Hanukkah menorah made from? | Various shapes and materials |
| What is the traditional menorah made from? | Gold |
| What is used to light the menorah? | Olive oil or candles |
| What is the Hebrew word for menorah? | Chanukkiyah |
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What You'll Learn
The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah or Chanukkiyah, has nine branches. Eight of these branches hold candles that are lit to symbolise the eight nights of the Hanukkah festival, with one additional candle known as the shammash or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah has become the more popular piece of Judaica in Jewish homes, as it is necessary for observing the Hanukkah rituals. The Hanukkah menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, with two branches added to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to stay lit for eight nights instead of one.
The original Temple menorah had seven branches and was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. It was inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with olive oil. The seven-branched menorah has persisted as a Jewish emblem and is still recognised as the iconic Jewish candleholder. It is used as a decoration and symbol of Judaism in synagogues and Jewish homes worldwide.
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah is closely associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and is used to commemorate the miracle of the oil. On each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit until the final night when all eight branches are lit, with the ninth branch, the shammash, used to light the others.
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The original menorah had seven branches
The menorah is a candelabrum that holds a symbolic significance in the Jewish faith. The original menorah, also known as the Temple menorah, had seven branches. It was inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible, which was used by Moses in the Tabernacle. The menorah was made of pure gold and was lit with fresh, kosher olive oil. The original menorah was looted by the Romans during the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Holy Temple in 70 CE.
The seven-branched menorah has persisted as a Jewish emblem and is recognised as the iconic Jewish candleholder. It is used as a decoration and a symbol of Judaism in synagogues and Jewish homes worldwide. The menorah has been found in archaeological artefacts from ancient Samaritan, Christian, and Islamic communities, highlighting its broad cultural significance.
The seven branches of the original menorah hold a specific arrangement, with six curved branches and a seventh branch in the middle, all at the same level. This design has been adapted in modern times, with artists creating replicas and artistic variations using different metals and intricate decorations. The original design has also inspired modern interpretations, such as the "Menorah Tree", inspired by the Christmas tree tradition.
The use of a seven-branched menorah is associated with the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. According to Rabbi Norman Patz, the use of a seven-branched menorah is biblically mandated in Exodus, with elaborate descriptions provided for its creation. The menorah was built in the desert and was lit daily by the high priest Aaron in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.
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The miracle of the oil
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum that is lit during the festival of Hanukkah. The nine-branched menorah has historically been used during Hanukkah and is necessary for observing the rituals of the festival. The nine branches of the Hanukkiah represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, with each branch representing a night of the festival, and an extra branch used to light the others.
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred obligation during Hanukkah. The menorah is lit to commemorate the miracle of the oil, as well as to remember the daily lighting of the menorah in the Temple. The miracle of the oil is depicted in the Babylonian Talmud and has been celebrated annually since, beginning on the 25th of Kislev. During this festival, lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden, and the menorah is lit to commemorate the miracle.
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah has become popular in Jewish homes due to its significance in the Hanukkah rituals. However, the seven-branched menorah remains a powerful symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people, with replicas and artistic adaptations found in synagogues and Jewish homes worldwide. The seven-branched menorah was inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used in the Tabernacle, and later in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the First and Second Temple periods.
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The shammash candle
The shamash candle is the candle used to light all the other Hanukkah candles. It is placed at a different height to distinguish it from the other eight candles. The shamash can be placed anywhere—on the right, left, middle, side, below, or above the other candles—as long as it is at a different level. It is also important that the shamash candle burns for at least as long as the other candles, so that its light can be "used" (the light of the other candles is prohibited to be used).
The shamash candleholder is sometimes removable, allowing it to be lit and then lifted out to light the other candles. In some menorahs, the shamash is placed off to the side, while in others, it is in the middle. The placement of the shamash candle may depend on the design of the menorah and the preference of the user.
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration, and it is used to light the other candles each night of the holiday. The lighting of the Hanukkah candles is a special ritual, and the shamash candle plays a key role in this tradition.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah, has nine branches or candlesticks. This is to accommodate the eight nights of Hanukkah, with an extra branch to light the others. The shamash candle is typically smaller than the other candles and may be placed in a separate candle holder next to the menorah if needed.
The Hanukkah menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, which had seven branches. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with olive oil. The original 7-branch menorah has persisted as a Jewish emblem and is still recognised as the iconic Jewish candleholder. However, the 9-branch Hanukkah menorah has become more popular in Jewish homes due to its use in Hanukkah rituals.
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The menorah as a symbol
The menorah has long been a symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people. The seven-branched menorah, inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle, was lit daily in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the First and Second Temple periods. The menorah was made of pure gold and lit with olive oil.
The seven-branched menorah has been a Jewish emblem for centuries, even before the popularity of the Star of David, and it has been found in ancient synagogues across the Land of Israel. It is still recognised as the iconic Jewish candleholder and is used as a decoration in synagogues and Jewish homes worldwide, representing Jewish pride and identity.
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah or Hanukkah menorah, has become more popular in Jewish homes as it is necessary for observing Hanukkah rituals. The Hanukkah menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, with two branches added to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to burn for eight nights instead of one.
The nine-branched menorah has eight branches to represent each night of the holiday and a ninth branch, called the shammash, or "helper", used to light the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, one menorah candle is lit, along with the shammash, and on each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit until all nine candles are lit on the final night.
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Frequently asked questions
A menorah is a candelabrum or lamp. In Hebrew, the word menorah simply means "lamp".
A menorah has seven branches, while a Hanukkah menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah, has nine branches.
The nine candles on a Hanukkah menorah represent the eight nights of the holiday, with one candle acting as a "helper" or "servant" candle, called the shammash, which is used to light the other eight.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight nights instead of one.
The use of the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah probably began at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph.
