Brooke Martin
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith. The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common answer is nine, with eight candles representing the eight nights of Hanukkah and the ninth, the Shamash, being used to light the others. The Hanukkah menorah, or Hanukkiah, commemorates the ancient menorah, which had seven branches, one for each day of creation, and burned in the Temple in Judea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 (8 candles for each night of Hanukkah, plus 1 "helper" candle) |
| Candle color | White, but any color can be used |
| Candle placement | Placed in an uncovered window or outdoors just left of the entrance of the home |
| Candle lighting | One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second night, and so on until all 8 candles are lit on the final night |
| Branch alignment | The 8 main branches must be straight and level, while the 9th branch for the "helper" candle should be higher, lower, or off to the side |
| Branch spacing | The branches should be spaced far enough apart so that one candle's flame does not join with another's |
| Historical menorahs | 7 branches, representing the 6 types of secular human wisdom and the importance of God |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Shamash or helper candle
The Shamash, or helper candle, is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah. It is used to light the other eight candles, which symbolise the eight nights of Hanukkah. The Shamash is placed on a different level to the other eight candles, either higher, lower, or off to the side. This is to distinguish it from the other candles, but also so that its light can be 'used'. The Shamash candle must burn for at least as long as the other candles, so a smaller candle that would burn out faster would not be suitable.
The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches, with eight of them holding candles or oil lamps, and the ninth branch holding the Shamash. 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 ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorahs are still used today, but only for decorative purposes and are not lit.
The lighting of the menorah candles is one of the most common Hanukkah traditions, symbolising the miraculous oil that was found in the temple and burned for eight nights. This allowed the Maccabees time to find more oil and rededicate the temple. The Shamash candle is an important part of this tradition, as it is used to light the other eight candles, bringing light and warmth to the celebration.
The placement of the Shamash candle can vary, with some menorahs having the Shamash off to the side, while others have it in the middle. The important distinction is that it is at a different level to the other candles, whether that be higher, lower, or to the side. This unique placement ensures that the Shamash is easily identifiable and serves as a visual reminder of its important role in the Hanukkah celebration.
TVs and Candles: A Dangerous Mix?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The miracle of the oil
To rededicate the Temple, the lighting of the Menorah was essential. However, they could only find a small flask or vial of pure olive oil, sealed and uncontaminated, enough to burn for a single day. According to Jewish law, the Menorah's flame could only be lit with this specially prepared oil. It would typically take eight days to produce a new batch of pure oil.
Miraculously, the small amount of oil they had discovered burned for eight consecutive nights, illuminating the Temple until new pure oil could be prepared. This miracle is commemorated during Hanukkah, with the lighting of candles on the Hanukkah Menorah, or Hanukkiah, for eight nights. The Hanukkah Menorah has nine branches, with eight main branches representing each night of the holiday and the ninth branch, called the Shamash, or "helper," used to light the others.
How Spiders React to Candles: Attraction or Repulsion?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hanukkah menorahs have nine candles
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding a "helper" candle, called the shammash, which is used to light the other eight.
The nine candles of the Hanukkah menorah commemorate the ancient miracle of oil lasting eight days when Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This is why Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. The eight main branches are aligned at the same height and in a straight line, with the ninth branch for the shammash either higher, lower, or off to the side.
The menorah is placed in an uncovered window or outdoors just left of the entrance to the home, as part of the purpose of the candles is to spread the word of the miracle they symbolise. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit using the shammash, with an additional candle lit each night until the eighth night when all nine candles are burning.
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the traditional seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which burned oil and was never supposed to go out. The seven branches of the traditional menorah represented the six types of secular human wisdom, with the seventh reminding us of the importance of God.
Candles in Carry-On: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The eight-day Jewish holiday
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with a menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches for candles or oil lamps. Eight of the nine branches hold lights, with one additional light being lit each night to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shammash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, and its use during Hanukkah commemorates the ancient miracle of a small amount of oil that was found in the temple and burned for eight nights, giving the Maccabees time to find more and rededicate the temple. The lighting of the menorah is the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration, and it is placed in an uncovered window or outdoors to spread the word of the miracle it symbolizes.
The menorah has its origins in the second century BCE and is described in the Hebrew Bible as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It was made out of pure gold, and the only source of fuel allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil. The menorah was to remain lit at all times, but during the reclaiming ceremonies of the Second Temple, only a single day's worth of oil was found. However, this miraculously lasted for eight days, and new oil could be purchased, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.
In modern times, the menorah is lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, with one candle on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all nine candles are aglow on the final night. The eight main branches are aligned at the same height and in a straight line, while the ninth branch for the shammash is higher, lower, or off to the side. The menorah is often displayed in windows or outdoors during Hanukkah, and the candles are traditionally white, though any colour can be used.
Printing Customized Candle Labels: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The seven-branched menorah
The seven branches of the menorah are thought to represent the six types of secular human wisdom, with the seventh branch reminding us of the importance of God. The Talmud describes the menorah as a symbol of human wisdom and enlightenment, with the central lamp representing the light of God. The six curved branches of the menorah represent the six days of creation, with the central seventh branch representing the Sabbath.
Today, the seven-branched menorah is used purely for decorative purposes and is not lit. The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah has become a more popular piece of Judaica in Jewish homes, as it is necessary for observing Hanukkah rituals.
Foton Candles: Are They Toxic?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A menorah has nine candles, eight of which are placed at the same height and one of which is either elevated or shorter than the others. This ninth candle, the Shamash, is used to light the other eight.
The nine candles commemorate the miracle of oil lasting eight days when Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Shamash candle, also known as the "helper" candle, is used to light the other eight candles on a menorah.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit using the Shamash. On each subsequent night, one additional candle is lit until all nine candles are burning on the final night.
A traditional menorah has seven branches, while a Hanukkah menorah has nine branches to account for the eight nights of Hanukkah and the Shamash candle.
