Ben Carter
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is often associated with Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. 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 called a hanukkiah, is used during the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch, called the shamash, used to light the other eight. On each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The menorah is traditionally placed in an uncovered window or outdoors, symbolising the miracle of light and spreading the word of the miracles it represents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles lit on the first night | 1 |
| Number of candles lit on the second night | 2 |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | 8 |
| Name of the ninth candle | Shamash or Shammash |
| Other names | Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, Chanukiah |
| Museums with notable collections | The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Jewish Museum in London |
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What You'll Learn
The nine candles on a menorah
The lighting of the menorah is a significant tradition and is considered the most important part of the Hanukkah celebration. It is placed in an uncovered window or outdoors, just to the left of the entrance to the home, to spread the word of the miracles it symbolises. The miracle of the oil is honoured, commemorating the story of how one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days when Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith, with its origins recorded in the Bible as appearing in the days of Moses. The first menorah was made from a single piece of gold and used in the first Temple of Jerusalem. Over time, the menorah has been adapted to include the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, which has nine branches for candles or oil lamps.
The eight main branches of the hanukkiah must be perfectly aligned, standing at the same height and in a straight line, according to Jewish law. The ninth branch, holding the shamash, is positioned higher, lower, or off to the side. Each night, one more light is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited, along with the shamash.
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The shamash candle
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees in the second century BCE. After the Temple was desecrated under the rule of Antiochus IV, a small group rebelled and became known as the Maccabees. They managed to take back the Temple and relight 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: one for each of the eight days, and the shamash candle to light the rest.
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The miracle of the oil
After the Maccabean Revolt, during which the Jews successfully rebelled against the rule of Antiochus IV who had outlawed Judaism, the Second Temple in Jerusalem needed to be purified and rededicated. Lighting the Menorah was a key component of the rededication ritual, but only enough untainted olive oil could be found to burn for one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight nights, and by the time it ran out, new pure oil was ready. This miracle is commemorated during Hanukkah, which lasts for eight days.
The Hanukkah Menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah, has nine branches. Eight of these hold candles or oil lamps, with one additional candle or lamp being lit each night of Hanukkah. The ninth branch holds a candle known as the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
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The Maccabees
The name Maccabees is often used as a synonym for the entire Hasmonean dynasty, but the Maccabees proper comprised Judas Maccabeus and his four brothers. The name Maccabee was a personal epithet of Judah, and later generations were not his direct descendants. One explanation for the origins of the name is that it comes from the Aramaic "maqqəḇa", meaning "the hammer", in recognition of Judah's ferocity in battle. Another theory is that it is an acronym for the Torah verse that was the Maccabees' battle cry: "Mi kamocha ba'elim YHWH" ("Who is like You among the heavenly powers, oh God!").
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the Maccabees' retaking of the Temple and relighting of the menorah. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. This is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles: one for each of the eight days, and one to light the rest.
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Placement of the candles
The placement of the candles on a menorah depends on the purpose of the menorah and the faith of the person using it. The most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles.
The nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah, is used 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. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. The shamash must be offset on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. According to Jewish law, the eight main branches must be perfectly aligned, standing at the same height and in a straight line, with enough space between them so that one candle's flame does not join with another's. There are differing opinions on whether the hanukkiah can be arranged in a curve.
The seven-branched menorah is used to represent the seven days of Creation. It is also used to symbolise the six types of secular human wisdom, plus one to remind us of the importance of God. Today, seven-branched menorahs are used only for decorative purposes and are not lit.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the first candle is lit using the shamash, and placed on the far right side of the menorah. On the second night, a new candle is placed where the first one was, and a second candle is placed immediately to its left. This continues each night, with candles being added from right to left, until the eighth night, when all of the candles are burning.
Traditionally, the menorah was placed on a shelf on the outside of the house to show that it was a Jewish home. Now, it is often placed in an uncovered window or on a windowsill to shine a light through the darkness, or outdoors just to the left of the entrance to the home.
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Frequently asked questions
A menorah has nine branches for candles, eight of which are level with each other and the ninth candle, called the Shamash, is either elevated or shorter than the others.
The nine candles on a menorah symbolize the eight days that oil lasted in the temple when Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant", is used to light the other eight candles on the menorah.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder farthest to the right. Using the Shamash, light this first candle, then replace the Shamash in its holder. On the second night, place a new candle where the first one was, and add a second candle to its left. Continue in this manner each night, placing candles from right to left.
A menorah is a symbol of the Jewish faith and is recorded in the Bible as first appearing in the days of Moses. A Hanukkah menorah, on the other hand, has nine branches for candles to symbolize the eight days of the Hanukkah holiday.
