Jessie Taylor
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees' triumph over religious persecution. The main ritual of Hanukkah involves lighting a special nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah. This candle holder has eight candles symbolizing the eight nights of the holiday and a ninth helper candle called the shamash, used to light the other eight. The number of candles lit increases each night, starting with one on the first night and ending with all nine candles burning on the final night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 branches in total, 8 for each night of Hanukkah and 1 "helper" candle to light the others |
| Candle name | "Shammash" or "helper" candle |
| Candle color | Any color, but blue and white are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel |
| Candle placement | The "Shammash" candle should be offset on a higher or lower plane than the other 8 candles |
| Candle lighting order | The "Shammash" candle is lit first, then it is used to light the other candles, with an additional candle being lit each night |
| Blessings and prayers | Three blessings on the first night and two blessings on each of the remaining nights |
| Candle lighting time | Ideally at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear |
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What You'll Learn
- The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches, with eight candles for each night and one helper candle
- The helper candle is called the shamash and is used to light the other eight
- The shamash is positioned higher or lower than the other eight candles
- The candles are lit at nightfall, defined as when three stars appear
- Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white candles are associated with Judaism
The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches, with eight candles for each night and one helper candle
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, 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 one candle being lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on until all eight are lit on the final night. This commemorates the ancient miracle of the oil in the temple lasting eight days. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which was lit with sacred oil. Today, traditionalists may still use oil, but most people use wax or soy candles. The menorah is typically lit at nightfall, when three stars appear, and is often displayed in a window.
The lighting of the menorah is a widely recognised Hanukkah tradition, with public candle lighting ceremonies taking place in communities and at notable locations such as the White House and the House of Commons in the UK. Hanukkah is often called the Jewish Festival of Lights, and the candles are usually blue and white, the colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
The Hanukkah story tells of the triumph of a small group of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, over their oppressors, the Greek-Syrians, who had defiled the Second Temple of Jerusalem. The Maccabees wanted to rededicate the temple to God, but they only had enough ritually pure oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, and so the eight candles of the Hanukkah menorah symbolise this miracle.
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The helper candle is called the shamash and is used to light the other eight
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, and the ritual of lighting a candle holder is central to the holiday. The candle holder used is called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, and it has nine branches for candles or oil lamps. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or lamps that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit.
The ninth branch holds a helper candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is usually positioned higher or lower than the other eight candles, or off to the side. The shamash is lit first and then used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit: the shamash and one other. On the second night, the shamash is used to light two candles, and so on, until the eighth and final night when all nine candles are lit.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of a small amount of oil burning for eight days, which gave the Maccabees time to rededicate the Temple. The miracle of the oil is also celebrated through traditional foods eaten during Hanukkah, such as potato pancakes and jelly donuts.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is accompanied by prayers. On the first night, three blessings are recited: the first acknowledges that God commanded the lighting of the Hanukkah lights; the second thanks God for the miracles shown to our ancestors; and the third thanks God for keeping us alive and bringing us to the holiday season. On the remaining nights, two blessings are recited.
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The shamash is positioned higher or lower than the other eight candles
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, and is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is positioned on a different plane than the other eight candles, either higher or lower, or to the side. This is because it is not one of the eight candles that represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, but a "helper" candle used to light the others. The shamash is therefore often placed in a central position, or in front of or behind the other candles, to distinguish it from the eight candles that represent the eight nights of the festival.
The shamash is usually lit first, and then used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, as well as the shamash. On the second night, two candles are lit, and so on, until the final night when all eight candles are lit, along with the shamash.
The shamash is not usually blown out, but is left to burn along with the other candles. This is because, although its primary function is to light the other candles, it is also there in case any of the other candles blow out.
The shamash is an important part of the Hanukkah tradition, and is often made from beeswax. It is one of the features that distinguishes the Hanukkah menorah from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
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The candles are lit at nightfall, defined as when three stars appear
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The candles are ideally lit at nightfall, defined as the moment when three stars appear. On the first night, one candle, the shammash, or "helper", is lit, and it is then used to light one of the other eight candles. On the second night, the shammash is used to light two candles, and so on until the final night, when all eight candles and the shammash are lit. The nine-branched menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which was lit with sacred oil.
The Hanukkah menorah symbolises the miracle of the oil that was found in the temple after it was reclaimed by Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors. The Maccabees found only one canister of ritually pure oil, which they believed would only last for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight nights, allowing them time to find more oil and rededicate the temple. Hanukkah is therefore often called the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The menorah is traditionally displayed in a window, serving as a reminder that Jews will not be ashamed of their identity nor bullied into hiding their heritage. In recent years, some Jewish sects have also held public candle-lighting ceremonies. Beginning with President Bill Clinton in 1993, a hanukkiah is lit at the White House, and since 2001, there has been an annual White House Hanukkah Party, which includes a hanukkiah candle-lighting ceremony.
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Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white candles are associated with Judaism
Hanukkah is often called the Jewish Festival of Lights. A Hanukkah menorah, sometimes called a hanukkiah, 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 a "helper" candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
There is no specific colour requirement for Hanukkah candles, and they can be any colour. Some people prefer to buy coloured candles for aesthetic appeal, as there is a principle in Judaism called hiddur mitzvah, which is about making the ritual obligation beautiful. Hanukkah candles are widely available in major retailers, Judaica shops, and even some grocery stores. In a pinch, any candle can be used as a Hanukkah candle, provided it burns for 30 minutes and is equal in size to the other candles.
Blue and white candles are commonly used during Hanukkah, as these colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. In North America and Israel, blue and white are the most common Hanukkah colours. Other common colours for Hanukkah include silver and gold, which symbolise the menorah, a nine-branched candelabra that is a centerpiece of Hanukkah. The candelabra was traditionally made of precious metal, and for much of history, it was often one of the few valuable possessions of Jewish families.
The colours red, blue, and gold are also inspired by the flames of the Hanukkah candles. Some people may choose candle colours that match their decor or mood. Regardless of the colours used, the underlying theme of Hanukkah resonates with everyone, regardless of their faith or level of observance.
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Frequently asked questions
A Jewish Hanukkah candle holder, or Hanukkah menorah, has nine branches for candles—one for each night of the holiday, plus a "helper" candle called the shammash.
The candles are lit to commemorate the miracle of oil lasting eight days in the temple.
Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but some people prefer blue and white, which are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
