Brooke Martin
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is used in Hanukkah celebrations. The number of candles required for a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. A Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine candles: eight candles in a row, and one helper candle, known as a shamash, which is set apart from the others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 (8 candles for each night of Hanukkah, plus the shamash) |
| Candle placement | The shamash is placed slightly higher or lower than the other 8 candles |
| Candle lighting order | On the first night, the shamash and one other candle are lit. On the second night, the shamash and two other candles are lit. This continues until the eighth night, when all 9 candles are lit. |
| Number of candles required for the duration of Hanukkah | 44 |
| Candle colour | Traditionally white, but any colour can be used |
| Candle lighting time | At dusk, except on Fridays when it is before sunset, and on Saturdays when it is after sunset |
| Duration of candle lighting | At least 30 minutes |
| Location of menorah | Placed in an uncovered window or outdoors just to the left of the entrance of the home |
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What You'll Learn
A Hanukkah menorah has nine candles
A Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding a helper candle known as the shamash. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is positioned slightly higher or lower than the other eight candles, or off to the side.
The Hanukkah menorah is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, using the shamash. 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 burning. This is done to commemorate a miracle: 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.
The menorah has a crucial role in Hanukkah celebrations. The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Jewish Hanukkah celebration. Many families choose to light their menorahs outdoors, just to the left of the entrance to their homes, or in an uncovered window, to spread the word of the miracle that the menorah symbolises.
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The use of a nine-branched menorah for Hanukkah probably began at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph.
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Eight candles are for each night of the holiday
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles that represent the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night. On the final night, all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shamash, or "helper candle", which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is positioned slightly higher or lower than the other lights, or to the side.
The menorah is used to commemorate a miracle. Judah Maccabee and his warriors successfully fought against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. To rededicate the Temple, they needed to burn oil in a candelabra, but they only had enough oil for one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight nights.
The menorah is placed in an uncovered window to spread the word of the miracle it symbolises. Many families choose to light their menorahs outdoors, to the left of the entrance to their homes. The candles are most commonly white, but any colour can be used.
To light the proper number of candles each night for the duration of the holiday, you will need 44 candles in total.
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The ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the others
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or "helper" candle. This ninth candle is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight other candles, and is either placed in the centre or to the left or right. The eight candles represent the eight nights of the holiday, with one additional light being lit each night. On the first night, the shamash and one other candle are lit, and on the final night, all nine candles are burning.
The lighting of the menorah is a crucial part of Hanukkah celebrations. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. Before the candles are lit, it is traditional to recite blessings. The menorah is placed in an uncovered window, or outdoors to the left of the entrance to the home, to spread the word of the miracle of the oil lasting eight days that the menorah symbolises.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, and has been used as a symbol of worship throughout history. The first menorah was made from a single piece of gold and was presented for use in the first Temple of Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, but did not come into use until at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph.
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The shamash is positioned higher or lower than the other candles
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is set apart from the other eight candles on the menorah. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is placed either in the centre or on the left or right side. The shamash is positioned higher or lower than the other eight candles. This is because the shamash is used to light the other candles, so it needs to be in a different position. The shamash is also the first candle to be lit.
There are differing opinions on whether the shamash should be higher or lower than the other candles. Some people believe that the shamash should be higher, as it is the most important candle. Others believe that the shamash should be lower, as it is a servant to the other candles. Ultimately, the decision of whether to position the shamash higher or lower is a personal preference.
The shamash is typically lit first, before being used to light the other eight candles from left to right. However, in Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first, and then the other candles are lit from right to left, starting with the left-most one.
The shamash is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration, as it represents the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days. The eight other candles symbolise the eight nights of the holiday, with one new candle being lit each night.
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The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding a helper candle known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed slightly higher or lower than the other eight candles, or off to the side. The shamash is lit first, followed by the other eight candles from left to right.
The lighting of the menorah is a crucial part of Hanukkah celebrations. The eight candles represent the eight nights of the holiday, and the ninth candle represents the helper used to light the others. The miracle of the oil is honoured by lighting the menorah, commemorating the time when a tiny amount of oil burned for eight days.
The menorah is placed in an uncovered window or just to the left of the entrance of the home so that the candles can be seen from the street. The purpose of this is to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah and spread the word of the miracles the menorah symbolises. In moments of antisemitism, some Jews have chosen to light the menorah in a window as an act of defiance and bravery.
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Frequently asked questions
You need 44 candles for every menorah you plan to light over Hanukkah. On the first night, two candles are needed, one as the shamash and one to represent the first night. On the second night, you will need three candles, then four, and so on until the eighth night when you will need nine candles.
The menorah has seven or nine candles. The nine-branched menorah is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash candle is the "helper" candle. It is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is set apart from the others and is usually placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith. It is associated with the ancient miracle of oil that was found in the temple and burned for eight days, giving the Maccabees time to find more and rededicate the temple. The menorah is also a symbol of religious freedom.
