Chloe Adams
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is often associated with the celebration of Hanukkah. The lighting of the menorah is considered the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration. The menorah is a candelabrum that typically holds nine candles: eight candles to symbolize the eight nights of Hanukkah and one helper candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the others. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit using the shamash, and on each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit, until all nine candles are burning on the eighth and final night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 (8 candles in a row and 1 helper candle) |
| Type of candles | White candles are most common, but any colour can be used |
| Arrangement of candles | The 8 main candles are aligned at the same height and in a straight line. The ninth candle, the shamash, is placed higher, lower, or to the side. |
| Lighting practice | One additional candle is lit each night of Hanukkah, starting from the rightmost candle holder. |
| Placement | The menorah is traditionally placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill, or just outside the entrance of the home. |
| Symbolism | The menorah symbolises the Jewish faith and the miracle of oil that was found in the temple, which burned for eight days. |
| Other names | Chanukiah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, Menorat ḥanukkah, ḥanukkiyah |
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What You'll Learn
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith
Over time, the menorah has become a symbol of worship and has been adapted to include the Hanukkah Menorah, also known as the Chanukiah. The Hanukkah Menorah has nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight. Each night, one more light is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited, along with the shamash.
The lighting of the menorah is a significant tradition during Hanukkah, and it is placed in an uncovered window or outdoors to spread the word of the miracles it symbolizes. The miracle of the oil is one such story, where a small amount of oil found in the Temple miraculously lasted for eight days. This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has nine candles, representing the eight days of Hanukkah, and the shamash used to light the others.
The menorah has become a widely recognized symbol of the Jewish faith, with its image appearing on ancient coins and artefacts. Today, menorahs are often displayed in windows during Hanukkah, with blue and white candles, which are the traditional colours of the holiday.
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Hanukkah menorahs have nine candles
Hanukkah menorahs, also known as a chanukiah or hanukkiah, have nine candles. Eight of these candles symbolise the eight nights of the holiday, with one candle being lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all eight are burning on the final night. The ninth candle, called the shamash, or "helper", is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane, or off to the side, separate from the eight candles that correspond to the nights of Hanukkah.
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. The nine-branched menorah for Hanukkah probably didn't come into use until at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph. Before this, Jewish menorahs had seven branches.
The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration. The menorah is placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill, to spread the word of the miracles the menorah symbolises. The candles are traditionally white, but any colour can be used.
The miracle of the oil is an important part of the Hanukkah story. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only enough oil to burn for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight nights. This is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles: one for each of the eight nights, and one to light the rest.
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The shamash is the 'helper' candle
The shamash is the helper candle. A Hanukkah menorah, or chanukiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash is set apart from the other eight candles. It is placed on a higher or lower plane, or off to the side, with the eight main branches in a straight line. The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the other candles, one more each night until the final night when all nine candles are burning. The shamash and the eight candles together commemorate the ancient miracle of oil burning for eight days when Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, with the nine candles representing religious freedom. The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration. The candelabra is placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill, or outdoors just to the left of the entrance to the home, to spread the word of the miracle the candles symbolise.
The menorah has its origins in the second century B.C.E. when the Jewish people were oppressed and the Temple was desecrated. The menorah was relit when the Temple was retaken. The miracle of the oil is also honoured in Hanukkah foods such as latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and jelly-filled doughnuts.
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The miracle of the oil
The story of the miracle of the oil is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Maccabees, who fought against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. After their victory, the Maccabees returned to the Temple to perform a sacred ritual and rededicate it to God. This ritual included lighting the Menorah, which required pure olive oil.
However, due to the defilement caused by the Greeks, most of the oil had been contaminated. In their search, the Maccabees could only find one small flask of pure olive oil, sealed by the High Priest, which was enough to light the Menorah for just one day. Despite the odds, the Maccabees lit the Menorah, and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days—the duration needed to prepare a new batch of pure oil.
This miracle holds a profound significance for the Jewish people. It symbolises not only purification but also the victory of the spirit and the right to worship freely. The miracle of the oil serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, with unity and faith, great things can be achieved. It is a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the Jewish community.
Today, during the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, Jews around the world light the Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah, with nine candles or oil lamps. Eight of these represent each night of the festival, and the ninth, known as the shamash or "helper," is used to light the others. This tradition honours the miracle of the oil and ensures that the memory of this significant event is passed down from generation to generation.
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Menorahs are placed in windows
The menorah is a candelabrum with nine candles, eight of which are lit over eight consecutive nights, with the ninth candle, called the shamash, being used to light the others. The menorah is lit during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil burning for eight days.
Menorahs are often placed in windows during Hanukkah, with some sources suggesting that this is a modern custom that has evolved from the traditional placement of the menorah at the entrance to one's home, facing the street. Placing the menorah in a window allows it to be seen by both those inside and outside the home, fulfilling the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah to the world.
Some people choose to place the menorah in a window that faces a public thoroughfare, ensuring that it can be seen by the largest number of passers-by. This practice is seen as a public statement of one's beliefs and a way to send a message of the Jewish spirit to the world.
There are, however, some considerations when placing a menorah in a window. One issue is the direction in which the menorah faces, as placing it so that it faces outwards may confuse those inside the home as to which side to light. Additionally, some people choose to use a glass encasement for their menorah when placing it outside, to protect the flame from the wind and rain.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common answer is nine—eight candles for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, and a "helper" candle called the shamash, used to light the other eight.
The nine candles in a menorah commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil that burned for eight days.
On the first night of Hanukkah, light the shamash and one other candle. On the second night, light the shamash and two other candles, and so on, until all nine candles are lit on the eighth and final night.
