Chloe Adams
The menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps, and the ninth holds a helper candle, known as the shamash. The menorah is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, with one more light being lit each night until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The shamash is used to light the other candles and is placed in the centre or at a higher or lower plane than the other candles. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside one's door, and it is lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. The candles are meant to be kept within sight for safety reasons and should not be moved while lit. If a candle accidentally goes out, it is acceptable to relight it. The menorah is a symbol of Samaritan identity and is used to commemorate the victory of Jewish rebels over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 or 9 (including the shamash) |
| Candle placement | Placed from right to left |
| Candle lighting | Lit from left to right |
| Shamash placement | Raised or in the center |
| Shamash use | Used to light the other candles |
| Timing | Just after dark each night of Hanukkah |
| Location | Window, table, or outside the door |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
The shamash is the candle that is used to light all the other Hanukkah candles, and it is lit first before giving blessings. The shamash candle must burn at least as long as the other candles, and it is forbidden to use its light for any practical purpose. This is to preserve the sanctity of the mitzvah lights, and so that its light can be "used" while the other candles are prohibited from being used for light. If a candle blows out, the shamash is used to relight it.
The placement of the shamash candle may vary depending on the design of the menorah. Some menorahs have the shamash candle holder in the middle, while others have it off to the side. The size of the shamash candle may also vary, with some being smaller in diameter than the other candles.
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The order of lighting
Placement of the Candles
The menorah holds eight candles, with an additional ninth candle, known as the shamash, or "helper" candle. The shamash is placed in the centre or at a different elevation from the other eight candles. The eight candles are arranged in a straight line, with no candle higher than the other. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left.
Lighting the Candles
The shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the other eight candles. The candles are lit from left to right, with the newest night getting the newest light. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. However, on Friday night, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday night, it is lit after nightfall. Ideally, the menorah should be lit at the earliest opportunity, and it should not be left too late—no later than half an hour before dawn.
The Miracle of Chanukah
The lighting of the menorah commemorates the miracle of Chanukah. According to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
The Significance of Olive Oil
The miracle of Chanukah involved olive oil, so it is preferable to use olive oil in the menorah rather than candles. Cotton wicks are preferred for the smooth flame they produce.
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The number of candles
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or “helper” candle. This candle is used to light the other eight.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, which has its own designated spot (usually in the centre), and another candle placed in the right-most spot. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, then the candle on the far right is lit again, and the shamash is replaced. This pattern is repeated for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all nine candles are lit. To complete the ritual, a total of 44 candles are needed per menorah.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door. It should be positioned somewhere safe, away from children and flammable materials. The shamash is lit first, and the Hanukkah blessing is recited. The remaining eight candles are then lit from left to right.
The menorah is lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sunset when Shabbat has ended.
The miracle of Hanukkah is commemorated by lighting the menorah. According to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
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Placement of the menorah
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. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The eight-branched menorah, modelled after the Temple menorah, is used by Jews during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah.
The placement of the menorah depends on the context and tradition being followed. Here are some guidelines for the placement of the menorah during the Hanukkah celebration:
Placement in the Home
According to the Talmud, the ideal way to fulfil the mitzvah of Chanukah lights is to place the menorah at the entrance to the house, making it clearly visible to passers-by. This placement symbolises the publicising of the Chanukah miracle, which is a key aspect of the celebration. However, during times of danger or hostility, it is acceptable to light the menorah indoors, reminding those within the home of God's providence and protection.
If there is a mezuzah on the door, the menorah is placed on the left side of the entrance, so that one entering the house is surrounded by mitzvot. In the absence of a mezuzah, the menorah is placed on the right side.
Placement of the Candles
The menorah has one candle for each night of Hanukkah, with an extra candle in the middle known as the shamash. The shamash candle is used to light the other candles. When placing the candles, work from right to left, and when lighting them, move from left to right, so that the newest night gets the newest light.
Placement of the Lights
The basic elements of a kosher menorah include eight holders for oil or candles and a separate holder for the shamash. The Chanukah lights can be candle flames or oil-fuelled, with olive oil being the ideal fuel. The eight candles should be arranged in a straight, even line, not in a zigzag pattern or with varying heights.
The menorah should be lit ideally at the earliest opportunity after nightfall. It is important to keep the lit menorah within sight for safety reasons and to avoid moving it while it is lit.
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Lighting times
The menorah is a candelabra, a large candlestick holder for several candles with many arms or branches. The Chanukah menorah, or chanukiyah, has nine branches, for eight candles and one shamash or "attendant" candle. The shamash candle is placed in the middle and is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash candle is lit first, and then the blessings are recited. The shamash candle is then used to light the other eight candles, from left to right, with the newest candle being lit first.
The menorah is lit at sunset or shortly after, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather. However, on Friday nights, the candles should be lit before sunset. The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door. The candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes before being extinguished, although some prefer to let the candles burn out by themselves. The menorah should not be moved while it is lit. If a flame accidentally goes out, it can be relit.
The Chanukah lights can be candle flames or oil-fueled, but an oil menorah is preferable because the miracle of Chanukah happened with olive oil. Cotton wicks are preferred because of the smooth flame they produce. The menorah should not be lit using matches or a lighter. The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line, not in a zigzag or with some lights higher than others.
The Chanukah lights should be lit when the stars appear. If they are not lit then, they can be lit through the remainder of the night, provided that the members of the household are still awake. If the menorah is lit very late, when everyone is asleep, it should be lit without making a blessing. Once the night has passed, the lights cannot be lit, and the mitzvah cannot be made up.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard Chanukah candles last for approximately 30 minutes. The menorah is lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah.
The shamash candle is the “helper” candle. It is placed in the centre of the menorah and is used to light the other candles. The shamash candle is lit first.
If a candle accidentally goes out, it is okay to relight it.
