Maddie James
The menorah is a candelabrum that is described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The menorah is most commonly associated with the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which is why most menorahs have nine candles. Eight of the candles are level with each other, representing the eight days that the oil lasted in the temple, and the ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the other eight. However, the menorah described in the Bible and used in the Temple in Jerusalem had seven branches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 or 9, depending on the purpose of the menorah |
| Type of candles | Candles or oil lamps |
| Arrangement of candles | In a straight line, not a semicircle |
| Number of candles lit on the first night | 2 (1 Shamash and 1 other) |
| Number of candles lit on the second night | 3 (1 Shamash and 2 others) |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | 9 (1 Shamash and 8 others) |
| Placement of the Shamash | Either elevated or shorter than the other candles |
| Placement of the menorah | In an uncovered window or outdoors, just to the left of the entrance of the home |
| Time of lighting | Shortly after sunset, or after nightfall (approximately 30 minutes after sunset) |
| Fuel | Fresh olive oil |
| Duration of burning | At least 30 minutes after nightfall |
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What You'll Learn
The menorah in the Bible was not lit with candles but with oil
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. The Bible mentions that the menorah was made of pure gold, and the only source of fuel allowed to light the lamps was fresh olive oil.
The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle, and the Bible records it as being present until the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. When the Tabernacle tent was pitched in Shiloh, it is assumed that the menorah was also present. The menorah was at the center of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days, which inspired the sages to institute the holiday of Hanukkah. 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. The ninth branch holds a candle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The menorah has been used as a symbol of worship and has been adapted to include the Hanukkah Menorah. The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The menorah's lights should be level or on an even slant, not with some randomly higher than others. The most common menorah design is of eight arms, branching from a single stem.
The menorah is an important symbol in Judaism and has been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of other faiths. The menorah also became the official emblem of the State of Israel when it was founded in 1948.
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The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith
The menorah is said to have been revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and was made by the craftsman Bezalel for use in the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle later gave way to the Temple of Solomon, which housed ten golden candelabras, five on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary.
The menorah remained a significant symbol in Jewish history, with the Second Temple also said to have been home to a menorah. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the menorah disappeared, but it continued to be a popular symbol of Judaism, adorning tombs, synagogue walls and floors, sculptures, and reliefs.
Today, the menorah is most commonly associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day celebration. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch, known as the shamash or "helper", used to light the others. Each night of Hanukkah, an additional light is kindled, until all eight branches are illuminated on the final night.
The menorah has also been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from those of other faiths. In modern times, it became the official emblem of the State of Israel and remains a widely recognised symbol of Judaism around the world.
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The menorah was made from a single piece of gold
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It has served as a symbol representing Jews and Judaism in the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. The menorah was made from a single piece of gold, hammered out of pure gold, with its base, shaft, cups, ring of outer leaves, and petals all made from one piece.
The Hebrew Bible states that God revealed the design for the menorah to Moses, and the Bible describes the construction of the menorah as follows: "You are to make a menorah of pure gold. It is to be made of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, ring of outer leaves and petals are to be of one piece with it." The Bible further instructs that the menorah should have six branches extending from its sides, with three branches on one side and three on the other. Each branch was to have three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a ring of outer leaves and petals. The central shaft of the menorah was to have four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its ring of outer leaves and petals.
The menorah was to be lit with fresh olive oil, and it was placed in the Tabernacle. The Bible records that the menorah was present until the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. When the Tabernacle tent was pitched in Shiloh, it is assumed that the menorah was also present. The menorah has been depicted in various archaeological artifacts, including on the coins of Antigonus II Mattathias, the last Hasmonean king of Judea, and on the walls of an Upper City mansion and Jason's Tomb in Jerusalem.
The menorah is also associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, where a nine-branched variant called the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is lit during the eight-day holiday. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, with one additional light lit each night until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a helper candle, called the shamash, used to light the other eight.
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The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah is said to have been 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 placed in the outer room of the Tabernacle, which led to the inner chamber and the Holy Ark. It stood in the south of the room, to the left when entering from the main door on the east. The orientation of the menorah is debated in the Talmud, with Rabbi Judah the Prince arguing that it ran the length of the temple from east to west, while Rabbi Eliezer ben Rabbi Shimon says it ran the width of the temple from north to south.
The menorah is said to have comprised a central stem, with three branches on each of its two sides, with each branch and the central shaft topped with a lamp, seven in total. The menorah was approximately 1.62 metres (5.3 feet) tall. The stem and branches were decorated with nine flowers, eleven knobs, and 22 ornamental goblets. The goblets were designed to face downward, symbolising the dynamic of sharing Divine light and goodness with others.
The menorah was one of six holy vessels that were to be placed in the Tabernacle, according to the Book of Exodus. The other five vessels were the Holy Ark, the showbread table, two altars (one gold and one copper), and a laver where priests would wash their hands and feet.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jews and Judaism in the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. It became the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948.
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The menorah has been used as a symbol of worship
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. According to the Bible, Moses was shown the menorah on Mount Sinai, and the design was revealed to him by God. The menorah was made from a single piece of gold and presented for use in the first Temple of Jerusalem.
The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and then later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was made of pure gold and was kindled with olive oil. The seven branches represent the seven stars of the Northern Dipper in Taoism.
The menorah has been used as a symbol of Judaism since ancient times, and it became the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948. It is often depicted on ancient coins and gravestones, as well as in synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. The menorah is also mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses on how to design the lamp.
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Frequently asked questions
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold and was to have six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other". The menorah was made for the tabernacle and was present until the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.
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. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The eight candles of the Hanukkah menorah symbolize the eight days that a small amount of oil miraculously lasted in the rededication of the Second Temple.
