Ben Carter
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is one of the most recognizable Jewish ceremonial artefacts. The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The nine-candle menorah, also known as the Chanukiah, is used during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It has eight candles that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday and one helper candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 (8 candles in a row and 1 helper candle) |
| Type of candles | Candles or oil lamps |
| Color of candles | White, blue, or white |
| Candle holder | Candelabra |
| Holiday | Hanukkah |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Location | Windowsill or outside the house |
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What You'll Learn
The Shamash candle
The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Jewish Hanukkah celebration. The menorah is placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill to spread the word of the miracles the menorah symbolises, and to shine a light through the darkness at a time of year when the days are short. The candles are traditionally white, but any colour can be used.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the reclaiming of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees. According to the story, only a small amount of oil was found inside the Temple, but miraculously, it burned for eight days, allowing time for more to be found. This miracle is why Hanukkah is often called the Jewish Festival of Lights.
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 Temple of Jerusalem. The ancient menorah had seven branches, one for each day of Creation, and it burned in the Temple continually.
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The miracle of the oil
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The miracle of the oil, also known as the miracle of the cruse of oil, is one of the reasons for celebrating Hanukkah. The miracle occurred after the liberation of the Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt.
The story goes that after the Greeks defiled the Holy Temple during their battle with the Jews, only one flask or jug of pure oil was found, enough to light the menorah for just one day. However, miraculously, the small amount of oil lasted for all eight days. This miracle is said to have revived the faith of the Jewish people, strengthening their faith in God and the power of miracles.
The Hanukkah menorah, with its nine candles, symbolizes this miracle. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, representing the eight nights of Hanukkah. Each night, an additional light is lit, so by the final night, all eight branches are ignited, along with the ninth branch, known as the shamash or "helper" candle, which is used to light the others.
The celebration of Hanukkah and the lighting of the menorah have evolved over the years, with modern-day celebrations including the White House Hanukkah Party and the lighting of the National Menorah in the United States. The holiday has taken on additional meanings, such as celebrating the miracle of people looking after one another and doing what is right.
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Hanukkah colours
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish holiday. The colours blue and white are often associated with the holiday, especially in the United States. Silver and gold are also common colours used during Hanukkah celebrations. These colours are closely linked to the cultural meaning of colours in Judaism, where different colours often stand for faith, history and tradition.
The colours blue and white are thought to have become associated with Hanukkah in the 20th century. Dianne Ashton, a professor of religion and American studies, attributes this to the desire of Jewish parents in post-World War II America to make Hanukkah a bigger deal, in order to make their children "okay with being Jewish" when they weren't celebrating Christmas. Companies like Hallmark also played a role in spreading and popularising these colours.
The Austrian Jewish poet Ludwig August Frankl may have also contributed to the association of blue and white with Hanukkah. In his 1864 poem "Judah's Farben" ("Judah's Colours"), he referred to these colours as the colours of Judah. Additionally, blue and white are the colours of the Israeli flag, and the tallit, a prayer shawl often worn by Jewish men on special occasions.
Silver and gold are also significant colours during Hanukkah. The traditional menorah, a nine-branched candelabra that is a centerpiece of the holiday, was commonly made of precious metal. Gold is often used for the menorah, and the plates often feature blue and white with Stars of David. Silver and gold also symbolise the "Hanukkah gelt", or chocolate coins that are given to children during the holiday.
While these colours are commonly associated with Hanukkah, they are not a requirement and are simply an enhancement or decoration. Hanukkah is about celebrating the miracle of people looking after one another and doing what is right.
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Placement in the home
The placement of the menorah in the home has evolved over time. Traditionally, the menorah was placed on a shelf outside the house to indicate that the residents were Jewish. This custom has evolved, and today, menorahs are often placed on a windowsill, allowing the light to shine through the darkness during the shorter days of the year.
The menorah should be placed in an uncovered window, as the light from the candles is meant to spread the word of the miracles the menorah symbolises. Many families opt to place their menorahs outdoors, just to the left of the entrance to their homes.
The placement of the candles on the menorah is also significant. On the first night of Hanukkah, the first candle is lit using the ninth candle, called the Shamash or "helper" candle, which is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. On the second night, a new candle is placed where the first one was, along with a second candle to its left. This process is repeated each night, with candles added from right to left, until all nine candles are lit on the eighth and final night.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is associated with Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of oil lasting for eight days during the rededication of the Temple by Judah Maccabee and his warriors. The eight candles represent each day that the oil miraculously burned, while the ninth candle is used to light the others.
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The first menorah
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith. The first menorah, according to the Bible, was shown to Moses on the mountain and presented for use in the First Temple of Jerusalem. It was made from a single piece of gold. The ancient menorah had seven branches, one for each day of Creation, and burned in the Temple in Judea. It was an everlasting light, an oil lamp that was never supposed to go out.
The seven-branched menorah is used only for decorative purposes and is not lit. The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah, has nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps that are lit over eight consecutive nights. The ninth branch holds a "helper" candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The nine-branched menorah is used to commemorate a miracle. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors successfully fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only a tiny amount of oil—enough for just one night—but miraculously, it burned for eight days. This is why Hanukkah is often called the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The menorah is traditionally placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill to shine a light through the darkness, or outdoors, just to the left of the entrance to the home.
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Frequently asked questions
One menorah candle is lit on the first night, plus a “helper” candle, called the shamash.
On the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit.
The shamash is used to light the other eight candles.
The shamash represents the eight days that the oil lasted in the miracle of Hanukkah.
