Tyler Brooks
The menorah is a candelabrum with a long history in the Jewish faith. The original menorah, also known as the Temple menorah, had seven branches, one for each day of Creation, and was lit in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine branches: eight for each night of the holiday, and a ninth branch, called the shamash, which is used to light the other candles. On each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are lit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 or 9 |
| Candles' colour | White, blue, or any other colour |
| Candles' arrangement | The eight main branches must be aligned at the same height and in a straight line. The ninth branch should be higher, lower, or off to the side. |
| Lighting order | On the first night, place a candle in the holder farthest to the right. On the second night, place a new candle where the first one was, plus a second candle to its left. Continue in this manner each night, placing candles from right to left. |
| Symbolism | The candles symbolise the miraculous oil that was found in the temple and burned for eight nights, giving the Maccabees time to rededicate the temple. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The nine-branched menorah
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The nine-branched menorah is used to commemorate the ancient Temple menorah, which had seven branches and was lit in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, with eight of the nine branches holding lights (candles or oil 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 ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight main candles.
The use of the nine-branched menorah for Hanukkah is a relatively recent development, beginning at least 250 years after the Maccabees' triumph in reclaiming the Temple. Prior to this, Jewish menorahs had seven branches, similar to the one used in the ancient Temple. The seven-branched menorah is said to represent the six types of secular human wisdom, with the seventh branch reminding us of the importance of God.
Today, the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah is a widely recognised symbol of the Jewish faith and is often displayed in windows during the holiday season. The lighting of the menorah is a significant tradition, with families gathering to light the candles and commemorate the miracles associated with the holiday.
Roman Candle Fights: Fun or Fatal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The miracle of the oil
The story of the miracle of the oil revolves around the rediscovery of the Temple and the subsequent need to purify and rededicate it through sacred rituals. One of these rituals was the lighting of the Menorah, a sacred candelabrum. According to Jewish law, the Menorah could only be lit with specially prepared pure olive oil. However, after the Greeks defiled the Temple, only one small flask or cruse of uncontaminated oil bearing the seal of the High Priest was found. This amount of oil was estimated to be sufficient for only one day, and it would typically take eight days to produce a new batch of pure oil.
Despite the seemingly insufficient amount, the Maccabees lit the Menorah with the pure olive oil they had found. Miraculously, the oil lasted for all eight days, allowing the Maccabees to continue their rituals and complete the preparation of new pure oil. This event signified not just purification but also a moral and political victory, representing the right of people to worship according to their beliefs.
Candles and Nether Fortresses: Enemies at Bay?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The shamash candle
The placement of the shamash candle on the menorah can vary. Some menorahs feature a dedicated holder for the shamash, which may be removable, allowing for easy lighting of the other candles. In other cases, the shamash candle may be placed in a separate candlestick next to the menorah, as long as it remains close by so that its light can be utilised.
Citronella Candles: Are They Safe or Toxic to Humans?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The seven-branched menorah
While the original Temple menorah was looted and disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, historians and artists have continued to construct replicas based on biblical and historical descriptions. These replicas are typically made from gold and feature intricate decorations, often depicting Jerusalem or other Jewish motifs. The seven-branched menorah is now primarily used for decorative purposes and is not lit, with the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah being the more popular choice for Jewish homes.
Convenience Store Birthday Essentials: Candles at 7-Eleven?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.99
The history of the menorah
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra that has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It has served as a symbol representing the Jews and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
The menorah traces its origins to the second century B.C.E. In Hebrew, the word menorah simply means "lamp". The ancient menorah had seven branches—one for each day of Creation—and it burned in the Temple in what was then Judea. It was an everlasting light, an oil lamp that was never supposed to go out.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), which is used to light the other eight.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates, but is distinct from, the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorah and the Star of David are among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
Candle Warmers: Do They Pack the Same Punch?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The most common answer is nine. Eight of the candles are level with each other, and the ninth candle, which is either elevated or shorter than the others, is used to light the other eight.
The nine candles symbolize the eight days that the oil burned in the temple, with the ninth candle representing the day's worth of oil that was found.
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 put a second candle to its left. Continue in this manner each night, placing candles from right to left.
