Brooke Martin
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 the ninth branch holding a helper candle, or shamash, used to light the other eight. On each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles representing each day of Hanukkah | 8 |
| Type of candle used for the shamash | Beeswax |
| Position of the shamash | Higher or lower than the other candles |
| Time of lighting the candles | Nightfall |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
Now, this is where the shamash candle comes in. The word "shamash" comes from the Hebrew word for "servant" or "attendant." The shamash is a special candle that sits apart from the other eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah. The hanukkiah is a nine-branched candelabra, with the shamash candle in the middle, elevated or distinguished in some way to mark it as unique. While the eight other candles, called Chanukah lights, are lit to commemorate the miracle of the oil, the shamash candle is lit first and then used to light the other candles.
On each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, starting from the right side of the menorah and moving left. The shamash candle is used to light these candles, usually from left to right. The shamash is lit first, symbolizing the importance of using our gifts to kindle the light in others. The shamash candle is also lit last, as a reminder that we should be servants to those around us, bringing light and warmth to others' lives. On the first night, the shamash candle is used to light the first Chanukah light, and so on until all eight Chanukah lights are lit on the final night.
During the lighting of the shamash and the other Hanukkah candles, blessings are recited. These blessings include giving thanks for the miracles of the past and the present, for the freedom to practice Judaism openly, and for the opportunity to gather and celebrate with loved ones. After the candles are lit, it is customary to place the menorah near a window so that the light can shine outward, serving as a symbol of Jewish pride and a beacon of hope and freedom for all people.
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The miracle of the oil
The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps that are lit over the eight days of the holiday. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight. Each night, an additional candle or oil wick is lit until all eight branches are illuminated on the final night, commemorating the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days.
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The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday. It is marked by the lighting of a nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, representing the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, an additional candle is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a helper candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The lighting of the menorah is a central ritual of Hanukkah, bringing light to the darkest days of winter in the northern hemisphere. The menorah is often displayed on a windowsill, shining a light through the darkness. The tradition of the menorah dates back to the second century BCE, when a seven-branched menorah burned in the Temple in Judea.
The story of Hanukkah centres on the miracle of the oil. In 167 BCE, Judea was Hellenized under the rule of Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism. A group of rebels known as the Maccabees fought back and took back the Temple, relighting the menorah. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a significant tradition for Jewish people around the world. Families gather to light the candles, recite prayers, and sing songs. Traditional Hanukkah foods include deep-fried dishes such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), which commemorate the miracle of the oil.
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Hanukkah menorah traditions
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that involves the lighting of a nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shamash, which translates to "helper" or "servant". The shamash is used to light the other eight candles, and it is typically placed on a higher or lower plane than the other candles.
The tradition of the Hanukkah menorah commemorates the history of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. According to the story, a small group of Jews called the Maccabees rebelled against the ruler Antiochus IV, who had outlawed Judaism and desecrated the Temple. After reclaiming the Temple, the Maccabees found enough sacred oil to light the Temple's menorah for only one day, yet miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This miracle is known as the "miracle of the oil", and it is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles: eight for each day that the oil burned, and a ninth to light the others.
During Hanukkah, families light one candle on the first night, reciting prayers and singing songs, and then light an additional candle each night until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The menorah is typically displayed in a prominent place, such as a windowsill, to shine a light through the darkness of winter.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah has become a widely celebrated tradition, with notable collections of hanukkiahs found in museums around the world. In the United States, the National Menorah lighting ceremony has been attended by the White House since 1979, and a hanukkiah is also lit at the White House residence. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the House of Commons holds an annual hanukkiah lighting ceremony at the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
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The Maccabees
The books of Maccabees are not part of the Jewish biblical canon and the original Hebrew texts are lost. However, the story of the Maccabees is told through other texts, such as the rabbinic text Megilat Ta'anit and the Babylonian Talmud. In Christian tradition, the Maccabees are significant as martyrs and are celebrated as such by some Christian churches.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hanukkah has nine candles. Eight of the nine candles symbolize the eight days of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, called the shamash, is used to light the other eight.
The shamash is the ninth candle on the Hanukkah menorah. It is also known as the "helper" or "attendant" candle and is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is typically placed above or below the other candles.
The eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah represent the eight days of Hanukkah. Each night, one more candle is lit until all eight candles are lit on the final night.
