Tyler Brooks
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-night Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The menorah holds eight candles, one for each night, and an extra ninth candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the others. The shamash is placed at a different elevation to the other candles, either higher or lower. The candles are placed and lit from right to left, with the newest night getting the newest light. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 in total: 8 for each night of Hanukkah, and an extra 1st candle called the shamash or "helper" candle |
| Candle arrangement | The shamash sits a bit higher or lower than the other candles. The 8 other candles are arranged in a straight, even line |
| Candle lighting order | On the first night, place the shamash in the middle and the first night's candle in the rightmost spot. On the second night, light the second candle from the right, then the candle on the far right. Repeat this pattern for each night, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, light all the candles, starting at the far left |
| Placement | Traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door |
| Lighting direction | Light the shamash first, then use it to light the other candles from left to right |
| Candle type | Candles or oil lamps. Oil lamps are preferable since the miracle of Chanukah involved olive oil |
| Wick type | Cotton wicks are preferred for the smooth flame they produce |
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What You'll Learn
- The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the other eight candles
- The candles are lit from right to left, with the newest candle lit first
- The menorah is placed in a window, on a table or outside a door
- The menorah is lit before Shabbat candles on Friday evening
- The miracle of the oil is honoured, with candles burning for at least 30 minutes
The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the other eight candles
The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah, at a different elevation to the other eight candles. This ninth candle is used to light the other eight and is usually placed slightly higher or lower than the rest. The shamash is often made from beeswax and is not extinguished after lighting the other candles. Instead, it is placed adjacent to the other candles and left burning in case it is needed to relight a candle that has blown out.
The shamash is set apart from the other eight candles to distinguish it from the mitzvah lights. The word shamash means "helper" in Hebrew and is not to be confused with the similarly spelled shemesh, which means "sun". The shamash is not a mitzvah candle, but it is important as it enables the other candles to form a mitzvah. The shamash is also referred to as the "attendant" candle.
The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, with the eight other candles arranged in a straight line. On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit, along with another candle, placed in the right-most spot. Each night, another candle is added, so that on the final night, all nine candles are lit.
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The candles are lit from right to left, with the newest candle lit first
The process of lighting a menorah is a ritual with very specific steps that differ slightly each night of Hanukkah. The menorah is a candelabra with nine branches, with one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight nights. The ninth candle, which sits in the centre, is known as the shamash, or 'helper candle'. This candle is lit first and used to light the others.
The shamash candle is lit using a match, lighter, or another flame source. It is important to light the shamash first and never to use an already lit candle to light the others. The shamash is placed back in its spot, leaving it lit, before the other candles are lit.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but lit from left to right. The newest candle is lit first, with the candle representing the current night being lit before the preceding nights' candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, the candle is placed in the holder on the far right, and lit with the shamash. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, and then the candle on the far right is lit again. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, all the candles are lit, starting from the far left.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the other candles, and the shamash is lit last.
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The menorah is placed in a window, on a table or outside a door
The placement of the menorah depends on the situation and the message you want to convey. The Talmud rules that the ideal way to fulfil the mitzvah of Chanukah lights is to place them at the entrance to the house, so they are clearly visible to passers-by. This is to publicise the miracle of Chanukah as much as possible. In Israel, it is customary to place the menorah outside the door of the house facing the street. However, if there is a garden or yard between the street and the door, there are two customs: placing the menorah in the street by the entrance to the garden, or inside the garden by the entrance to the house.
The menorah should be placed on the left side of the entrance, within one handbreadth of the doorpost (approximately 10 cm). If it cannot be placed on the left, it may be placed on the right side. It can also be placed in the space of the actual doorway, which is the most preferred position, particularly if there is a mezuzah. If the menorah cannot be seen from the street, it should be placed at a height where it is most visible.
In some cases, it may be preferable to place the menorah inside the house, either due to weather conditions or potential hostility from non-Jews. In such cases, the menorah can be placed inside by a window facing the street. This has been done historically as an act of defiance and bravery in the face of antisemitism.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left and are lit from left to right. The shamash, or helper candle, sits at a different elevation and is used to light the other candles.
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The menorah is lit before Shabbat candles on Friday evening
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred tradition in Judaism, and the order in which the candles are lit is of great importance. The menorah is a candelabra with a special significance during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights.
On Friday evening, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles. This order is crucial, as it is forbidden to light a fire on Shabbat, which extends from sunset on Friday evening until nightfall on Saturday night. The Shabbat candles are traditionally lit eighteen minutes before sundown on Friday. Therefore, the menorah should be lit a few minutes before that, but not too long before to maintain the sanctity of the Shabbat observance.
The lighting of the menorah involves eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and an extra ninth candle called the shamash, or helper candle. This candle is placed at a different elevation and is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is typically a beeswax candle and is placed in the centre of the menorah. The first night's candle is placed to the right of the shamash, and on each subsequent night, another candle is added to the left of the previous night's candle, so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The menorah can be placed in a window facing the street to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah and has been used as an act of defiance in the face of antisemitism. The candles should be arranged in a straight line, and 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 Friday evening.
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The miracle of the oil is honoured, with candles burning for at least 30 minutes
The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, is a Jewish celebration that revolves around the miracle of the oil. The story goes that in the second century BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Seleucids and entered the desecrated Temple, where they found a small quantity of oil. This oil, which was only enough to light the Temple's menorah for one day, miraculously lasted for eight days.
The miracle of the oil is honoured during Hanukkah through the lighting of candles or oil in a menorah. The menorah typically has eight spots for candles, one for each night of the festival, and an extra ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, used to light the others. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, with the other candles arranged in a straight line on either side. The candles should be lit at sunset, just outside the home, and should burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to one and a half hours on Friday evening.
While candles are commonly used in modern times, traditional menorahs used oil, specifically olive oil. As such, some people choose to use oil in their menorahs during Hanukkah to more closely replicate the original miracle. Cotton wicks are preferred when using oil, as they produce a smooth flame. It is also traditional to eat fried foods during Hanukkah, such as latkes, to further commemorate the significance of oil during the festival.
The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, so that passers-by can see the candles and be reminded of the miracle. This act of displaying the menorah publicly has also been a way for Jews to defy antisemitism and bravely assert their identity in the face of adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
A menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches, lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Two candles are needed on the first night—one as the shamash, or "helper" candle, and one for the first night of the holiday.
The shamash candle is placed in the centre of the menorah, or a little higher or lower than the other eight candles.
The shamash candle is lit first. Then, the candles are lit from left to right, with the newest night's candle lit first.
