Chloe Adams
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The lighting of the menorah is one of the most well-known Hanukkah traditions, with Jewish people around the world taking part to celebrate an ancient miracle. The miracle in question is the story of Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors, who successfully fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles lit each night | 1 additional candle each night |
| Total number of candles lit by the end of the 8-day holiday | 8 |
| Name of the ninth candle | Shamash or Shammash |
| Meaning of Shamash | Helper or Servant |
| Position of Shamash | Higher, lower, or to the side |
| Position of the eight main branches | Same height, in a straight line |
| Spacing between the eight main branches | Wide enough so that one candle's flame doesn't join another's |
| Name in Hebrew | Chanukkiyah or Hanukkiah |
| Name in Modern Hebrew | Chanukkiyah |
| Name in English | Menorah or Hanukkah Menorah |
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What You'll Learn
The nine-branched menorrah
The Hanukkah menorrah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is typically placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight other candles. The eight candles represent the eight nights of the Hanukkah holiday, with one additional candle being lit each night.
The lighting of the menorrah commemorates the miracle of a small band of Jews known as the Maccabees, who successfully rebelled against the rule of Antiochus IV, who had outlawed Judaism and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees reclaimed the Temple and, according to the story, a small amount of oil that should have lasted only one day miraculously burned for eight days.
The use of a nine-branched menorrah for Hanukkah is a relatively recent development, beginning at least 250 years after the Maccabees' victory. Before this, Jewish menorrahs had seven branches, like the one used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorrah is still used today, but only for decorative purposes and it is not lit.
The lighting of the menorrah is a widely recognised symbol of Hanukkah, with many museums holding notable collections of hanukkiot, including the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Jewish Museum in London.
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The shamash candle
The placement of the shamash candle varies depending on the design of the menorah. It is typically positioned in the center, slightly apart from the other candles, to emphasize its distinct purpose. In some menorahs, the shamash may be elevated or placed in a different color holder to further distinguish it. This candle is lit first each night of Hanukkah, usually using the previous night's shamash or a new candle, and is then used to light the other candles from left to right.
The lighting of the shamash and the subsequent kindling of the other candles is accompanied by specific blessings and rituals. On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited: the blessing of the candles, the blessing of the month, and the shehecheyanu blessing, which expresses gratitude for reaching this season. Each subsequent night, only the blessing of the candles is recited before lighting the shamash and the Chanukah lights.
The lighting of the menorah, with the shamash candle playing a central role, is a cherished tradition that brings families and communities together during the festive season of Hanukkah. It serves as a reminder of the miracle of old and inspires a commitment to creating new miracles through our own actions, guided by the light of the shamash.
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The miracle of the oil
The story of the miracle of the oil is set during the Maccabean Revolt, around 200 BCE, when the Jews of Judea were under the rule of the Seleucid king of Syria, Antiochus IV. Antiochus had prohibited the practice of Judaism and commanded the Jews to worship Greek gods. However, a group of rebels known as the Maccabees fought against the Seleucids and successfully regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem.
As part of the rededication ritual, the Maccabees needed to light the Menorah, which required pure olive oil. They could only find a single cruse or flask of uncontaminated oil with the seal of the High Priest, which was enough to burn for just one day. According to Jewish law, the Menorah had to burn for eight nights during the rededication ceremony.
Miraculously, the small amount of oil they had found lasted for all eight days, until new pure oil could be prepared. This event was considered a divine sign and a symbol of spiritual victory for the Jewish people. It demonstrated their resilience and determination to worship according to their beliefs.
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The Maccabees
The Maccabean Revolt is regarded as a pivotal event in Jewish history. It resulted in the reassertion of the Jewish religion and the expansion of Judea's boundaries. The Hasmonean dynasty, founded by the leaders of the Maccabees, ruled as a fully independent kingdom from 104 to 63 BCE. The revolt is also significant because it contributed to the development of the Hanukkah holiday and the tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah.
The story of the Maccabees and their revolt against the Seleucids is an important part of Jewish history and culture. It symbolizes the triumph of religious freedom and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of oppression. The Hanukkah menorah, with its nine candles, serves as a reminder of the Maccabees' victory and the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days. Today, the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a widely celebrated tradition, with many notable collections of menorahs in museums around the world.
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The history of the menorrah
The menorrah, also known as the 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 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 lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The menorrah is believed to have originated in the second century B.C.E. The seven-branched menorrah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is described in the Hebrew Bible as having been made out of pure gold, with the only source of fuel for the lamps being fresh olive oil. The menorrah was placed in the Tabernacle, with the cups in the shape of flower blossoms suggesting the tree of life.
The menorrah became a symbol of Judaism after the destruction of the Second Temple. It was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs, as well as glass and metal objects. It has been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from those of other faiths. The menorrah is also among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art, along with the seven-branched menorrah and the Star of David.
In modern times, the menorrah is often placed on a windowsill during Hanukkah, shining a light through the darkness at a time of year when the days are short. The White House has been represented at the lighting of the National Menorah since 1979, and a hanukkiah is lit at the White House since the time of President Bill Clinton in 1993.
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Frequently asked questions
A menorah has nine candles, eight of which are lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth candle, called the shamash or "helper", is used to light the other eight.
The menorah traces its origins to the second century B.C.E. when Judea was Hellenized under the rule of Antiochus IV. Antiochus outlawed Judaism and desecrated the Temple. A small group, known as the Maccabees, rebelled and took back the Temple, relighting the menorah. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles.
The menorah is a symbol of light and is used to commemorate the ancient miracle associated with the Maccabees and the reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It also celebrates the miracle of people looking after one another and doing what is right.
On the first night of Hanukkah, a candle is placed in the holder farthest to the right. On the second night, a new candle is placed in the same spot, with a second candle to its left. This continues each night, with candles being placed from right to left.
