Tyler Brooks
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is often associated with the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. The number of candles on a menorah depends on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah, is lit during the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one additional candle known as the shamash or helper candle, used to light the other eight. On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit, and one more is added each night until all eight branches are lit on the final night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 or 9 |
| Type of candles | Candles or oil lamps |
| First candle | Called the shamash ("helper" or "servant") |
| Candle arrangement | Straight line or curve |
| Candle lighting | One more candle lit each night until the final night |
| Total number of candles | 44 |
| Other names | Chanukiah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, Menorat ḥanukkah, ḥanukkiyah |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the menorah
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra that has been used in the religious rituals of Judaism and has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The word menorah means "lamp" in Hebrew. The ancient menorah had seven branches, one for each day of Creation, and it burned in the Temple in Judea.
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 cup atop the central shaft, which is somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath, was flanked by three lights on each side. The first menorah was made from a single piece of gold and presented for use in the first Temple of Jerusalem.
The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle, and its cups in the shape of flower blossoms suggested the tree of life. The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, contained one menorah that was seized in 169 BCE by Antiochus IV Epiphanes when he desecrated the Temple. Judas Maccabeus ordered the construction of a new seven-branched candelabra, which he placed in the Temple after the desecration by Antiochus. The menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. It was reportedly taken to Rome, and later to Carthage by the Vandals after the sacking of Rome in 455.
The menorah became a popular symbol signifying Judaism. It is frequently used as a symbol in Jewish art and has been found in several archaeological artifacts from ancient Samaritan, Christian, and Islamic communities. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a nine-branched variant of the menorah, closely associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. One additional oil wick or candle is lit each night to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah.
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The menorah in Jewish art
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and has been used in Jewish art for centuries. The symbol has been found on ancient coins and gravestones, as well as in synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. The menorah is also featured on the Emblem of Israel.
The menorah first appeared in the Hebrew Bible, where it was described as having seven branches and being made out of pure gold. The only source of fuel allowed to be used to light the menorah was fresh olive oil. The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Over time, the design of the menorah has evolved, and today, the most common type has nine candles, with eight candles in a row and one helper candle, known as the shamash, set apart from the others. This type of menorah is used during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah, with one new candle lit each night to represent the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days during the reclaiming of the Second Temple.
The use of the menorah in Jewish art has varied throughout history. During the Second Temple period and up to the Bar Kokhba revolt, it was quite rare to see the temple menorah used as an artistic decoration. However, in the late Roman and Byzantine periods, the use of menorahs in Jewish art, particularly in funerary art, became much more common. The menorah was also a distinctive symbol of Samaritan identity during the Byzantine and Islamic periods and was found in archaeological artifacts from ancient Samaritan, Christian, and Islamic communities.
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The menorah in other cultures
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. It is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. The menorah has been used as a symbol of worship and has been adapted to include the Hanukkah Menorah.
The menorah has also been found in several archaeological artefacts from ancient Samaritan, Christian, and Islamic communities. After the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE, the menorah was taken to Rome. The Arch of Titus, which still stands, depicts the menorah being carried away by the Romans. The menorah was reportedly taken to Carthage by the Vandals after the sacking of Rome in 455. Byzantine historian Procopius reported that the Byzantine army recovered it in 533 and brought it to Constantinople, and then later returned it to Jerusalem.
The menorah is also mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), where its design 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" (Exodus 25:31). The cup atop the central shaft, which is somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath, was flanked by three lights on each side.
The menorah has also been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of Christians and pagans. The Hanukkah menorah, a nine-branched variant, is closely associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The lamp has taken many forms through the ages, but its essential feature has been eight receptacles for oil or candles and a holder for the shammash (“servant” or "helper") light, which is used for kindling the other lights.
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How many candles are lit each night?
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is often associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The number of candles on a menorah varies depending on its purpose. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles.
A Hanukkah menorah, also known as a chanukiah, has nine candles: eight candles in a row and one helper candle, known as a shamash, set apart from the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash and one other candle are lit. On the second night, the shamash and two other candles are lit. This pattern continues each night until the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, when all nine candles are burning.
The shamash is used to light the other eight candles, which symbolise the eight nights of Hanukkah. The lighting of the candles commemorates the miracle of the oil during the reclaiming of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Although there are differing opinions about the arrangement of the candles, the shamash must be offset from the main eight candles.
The number of candles lit each night of Hanukkah is significant, with one more candle being lit each night until all eight candles are burning on the final night. This represents the eight-day battle against the Greek-Syrians in which the Jews reclaimed their Second Temple. The menorah is also used in other contexts, such as in Taoist temples, where a seven-lamp oil lamp is lit to represent the seven stars of the Northern Dipper.
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The shamash candle
The shamash is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration. The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, and the shamash candle represents the light of God. The light from the shamash is not to be "used" in the traditional sense; instead, its light is meant to be contemplated and meditated upon. The shamash candle must burn for at least as long as the other candles.
The number of candles on a menorah can vary, but the most common types have seven or nine candles, including the shamash. The purpose of the menorah dictates the number of candles it holds. For example, a menorah used for Hanukkah will have nine candles, while a menorah used for other purposes may have seven candles.
The menorah is a symbol deeply rooted in Jewish history and tradition. It first appeared in the days of Moses and was made from a single piece of gold. The menorah has been used as a symbol of worship and has been adapted over time to include the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the chanukiah.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common answer is nine. This is because the menorah is often associated with Hanukkah. However, the number of candles can vary depending on the purpose of the menorah. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles.
On the first night, you light the shamash and one more candle. On the second night, you light the shamash and two other candles. This pattern continues until the eighth night when all nine candles are burning.
The shamash is the "helper" candle. It is used to light the other eight candles and is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main candles.
