Maddie James
The number of candles lit on a menorah depends on the night of Hanukkah. On the first night, two candles are lit: the shamash, or helper candle, and another candle to mark the first night. Each night, a new candle is added to the menorah, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. The shamash is usually placed in the centre and is used to light the other candles. The candles are typically lit after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is gathered, except on Friday nights when the candles are lit before sunset to mark the beginning of the Sabbath.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles on the menorah | 9 |
| Number of candles lit on the first night | 2 |
| Number of candles lit on the second night | 3 |
| Number of candles lit on the third night | 4 |
| ... | ... |
| Number of candles lit on the seventh night | 8 |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | 9 |
| Placement of candles | Right to left |
| Order of lighting candles | Left to right |
| Time of lighting candles | After sunset |
| Exceptions | Friday and Saturday nights |
| Duration of burning | At least 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
The first night of Hanukkah
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the Hanukkah menorah. One is the shamash, or "helper" candle, and the other designates it as the first night. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, and the first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot. The shamash is used to light the other candle, and blessings are recited before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. The candles are then usually left burning for at least 30 minutes.
The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, so that passers-by can enjoy the lights. This tradition has also been used as an act of defiance and bravery in times of antisemitism. For example, a 1932 photo from Kiel, Germany, shows a menorah bravely facing a Nazi banner.
After the menorah lighting, it is customary to sing traditional Hanukkah songs, play dreidel, eat special foods such as latkes (fried potato pancakes), and open gifts. Hanukkah is a festive time, full of light, meaning, and family traditions.
Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first night, and the menorah is lit after sundown when it is dark. However, there is an exception when Hanukkah overlaps with Shabbat, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law. In this case, the menorah is lit before sunset on Friday evening, and after sunset on Saturday night once Shabbat has ended.
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The shamash candle
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah. It is placed in a designated spot, usually in the centre, but it can also be placed to the side, below, or above the other candles. The shamash candle must be at a different height than the other eight candles to distinguish it from them. The shamash is used to light the other candles, and it must burn for at least as long as the other candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle designating the first night. The shamash is used to light the first night's candle, which is placed in the rightmost spot. On the second night, another candle is added to the far left side of the menorah, and it is lit using the shamash. This continues until the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, when all nine candles are lit.
The menorah is a symbol of religious freedom, and it is associated with deep meaning and tradition. The lighting of the menorah is a religious ceremony and should be approached with reverence. The ancient rabbis felt it was important to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah, so many Jewish organizations erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns. Families often follow the candle-lighting ceremony with traditional Hanukkah songs, playing dreidel, eating special foods, or opening gifts.
In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is the first candle to be lit, and it is used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one.
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The number of candles increases each night
The number of candles lit on a menorah depends on the night of Hanukkah. On the first night, two candles are lit: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle to mark the first night. The shamash is usually placed in the centre, with the first night's candle on the right.
On each subsequent night, another candle is added, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. This is why Hanukkah is often called the Jewish Festival of Lights. The shamash is used to light the other candles, and blessings are said before the lighting. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right, so that the newest candle is lit first.
The menorah is lit 30 minutes after sundown and the candles are left burning for at least 30 minutes. However, many will leave the candles to burn out by themselves. On Friday nights, the menorah is lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins, and on Saturdays, it is lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
The lighting of the menorah is a religious ceremony and should be approached with reverence. The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, so that passers-by can enjoy the sight of the candles.
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The menorah is lit after sunset
The menorah is a symbol of religious freedom, associated with deep meaning and tradition. It is a candelabra with nine branches, eight of which are lit to represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, with the ninth, the Shamash, or "helper" candle, used to light the others.
The menorah is traditionally lit after sunset, except on Fridays when it is lit before sunset to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. The Shamash candle is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles, from left to right, with the newest candle lit first. The blessings are said before the candles are lit, and the menorah should remain in place for at least 30 minutes.
The first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the Shamash, and another candle to designate that it is the first night. This first night's candle is placed on the right-most side. Each night, another candle is added, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The lighting of the menorah is a religious ceremony and should be approached with reverence. Many Jewish organizations erect large outdoor menorahs, and some families follow the lighting with traditional Hanukkah songs, games, and food.
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The menorah is a symbol of religious freedom
The menorah has come to symbolise religious freedom due to its association with the story of Hanukkah. Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the rededication of the Temple. According to the story, after the Temple was desecrated, there was only enough sealed olive oil to fuel the menorah's eternal flame for one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, until new oil could be procured. This story emphasises the importance of religious freedom and the resilience of the Jewish people.
The menorah has also been a symbol of Jewish identity and continuity throughout history. It has been depicted on ancient coins, gravestones, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs. In modern times, it has been displayed in public spaces as a way to assert the right to religious freedom and has become the official emblem of the State of Israel.
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred ritual, with specific blessings and procedures. During Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit each night, culminating in all nine candles burning on the final night. The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, serving as a public display of Jewish identity and a testament to religious freedom.
The menorah's symbolism extends beyond its religious significance. It also represents the ideal of universal enlightenment and the pursuit of wisdom. The seven lamps of the menorah are said to allude to the branches of human knowledge, with the central lamp symbolising the light of God guiding us. Thus, the menorah serves as a reminder of the pursuit of knowledge and the importance of spiritual enlightenment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Menorah is a candelabra with a religious significance in Judaism. It is often associated with Hanukkah, a Jewish festival commemorating 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.
During Hanukkah, which lasts for eight nights, one additional candle is lit on the Menorah each night. So, on the first night, two candles are lit—the Shamash or "helper" candle, and another candle to mark the first night. On the second night, two candles are lit, and so on, until the eighth night, when all nine candles (the Shamash plus eight others) are lit.
The Shamash candle is the "helper" or "servant" candle and is usually placed in the center of the Menorah. It is lit first and used to light the other candles.
Yes, traditions and customs can vary between households and communities. For example, in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the nightly candles, and the Shamash is lit last. Additionally, on Friday nights, the Menorah candles are lit before sunset due to the beginning of the Sabbath, and on Saturday nights, they are lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
The candles on the Menorah symbolize the miraculous oil that was found in the Temple during the rededication ceremony. This oil burned for eight days, providing enough time to find more oil and properly rededicate the Temple. Additionally, the lighting of the Menorah can represent the victory of light over darkness, either literally or symbolically as "enlightenment" when Jews reclaimed their right to worship freely.
