Brooke Martin
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. The most common answer to the question of how many candles a menorah holds is nine—eight candles in a row, and one helper candle, known as a shamash, which is set apart from the others. The shamash is used to light the other eight. The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiyah, commemorates the miracle of a tiny amount of oil that burned for eight days.
| 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 any other color |
| Placement | Uncovered window or outdoors just left of the entrance of the home |
| Lighting order | From right to left |
| Lighting time | Dusk (except on Fridays when it is before sunset) |
| Days of celebration | 8 days |
| Holiday name | Hanukkah |
| Other names | Chanukiah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, or ḥanukkiyah |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The nine-branched menorah
The use of a nine-branched menorah for Hanukkah is a more recent tradition, with the original menorahs having seven branches, like the one used in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The nine-branched menorah probably came into use at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph.
Decorating Greek Easter Candles: Creative Ideas for a Festive Touch
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The shamash candle
The placement of the shamash candle is flexible and can vary across different menorahs. While it is typically placed at a different height or off to the side, the specific location is not fixed. The shamash can be placed on either the right, left, or middle, as long as it is at a distinct level from the other candles. This flexibility in placement allows for creativity and variation in the design of menorahs while still adhering to the symbolic significance of the shamash candle.
The Secret to Hacking Sky Candles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The miracle of the oil
After the Maccabean Revolt, during which the Maccabees fought against the rule of Antiochus IV who had outlawed Judaism, the Maccabees liberated the Temple in Jerusalem. To rededicate the Temple, the Maccabees needed to burn oil in a candelabra, known in Hebrew as a menorah. They found only a small flask of oil with the seal of the High Priest, which was enough to light the menorah for one day. However, miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, until new pure oil could be prepared.
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiyah or chanukiah, has nine candles: one for each of the eight days that the oil lasted, and a ninth helper candle, known as a shamash, which is used to light the others. Each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit until all nine are burning on the final night.
Black Candles: Death Symbolism and Meaning
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hanukkah traditions
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight days and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem during the second century B.C. This followed the triumph of a group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, who successfully fought back against their oppressors, the Greek-Syrians, and reclaimed the Holy Temple.
The lighting of the menorah is one of the most common Hanukkah traditions. The menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles symbolizing the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other candles. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window that is visible from the street, symbolizing religious freedom and serving to announce the freedom to practice Judaism.
The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is celebrated not only through the lighting of the menorah but also through traditional foods. These include potato pancakes and jelly donuts, as well as chocolate coins called gelt, which are used in a fun game played with a dreidel, or four-sided spinning top.
Detecting Candle Tunneling: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The menorah as a symbol
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, 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 First Temple of Jerusalem. The menorah has since been used as a symbol of worship and has been adapted to include the Hanukkah menorah.
The menorah is most commonly associated with Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration of the seven-day battle against the Greek-Syrians, in which the Jews reclaimed their Second Temple. The temple menorah was to remain lit at all times, but only a single day's worth of oil was found inside the destroyed temple. However, during the reclaiming ceremonies, the oil lasted for eight days, allowing time to find more oil and rededicate the temple.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, has nine branches for candles or oil lamps. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, an additional light is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or \"helper\", which is used to light the other eight.
The menorah is traditionally placed in an uncovered window or on the outside of the house to show that this is a Jewish home. It is often lit during the winter when Hanukkah starts, with candles in the Hanukkah colours of blue and white. The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration, symbolising the miracles associated with the holiday.
Candling Bearded Dragon Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A menorah has nine candles: eight candles in a row and one helper candle, known as a shamash, which is set apart from the others.
The shamash candle is used to light the other eight candles.
The nine candles symbolise the miracle of oil that was found in the temple. Although there was only enough oil for one night, it burned for eight nights, giving the Maccabees time to find more and rededicate the temple.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder farthest to the right. On the second night, place a new candle where the first one was, and add a second candle to its left. Continue in this manner each night, placing candles from right to left. Once the candles have been placed, light the shamash candle and use it to light the other candles from left to right.
On each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit, starting at dusk. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins, and on Saturdays, it is lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
