Ben Carter
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that involves the lighting of a menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, to commemorate the ancient miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah has nine branches, with eight candles representing each night of the holiday and a ninth helper candle, known as the shamash, used to light the others. On the first night, two candles are lit, and an additional candle is lit each night until all nine are burning on the final night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 44 |
| Number of candles excluding shamash | 36 |
| Number of candles on the final night | 9 |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of branches with candles on the final night | 8 |
| Number of nights | 8 |
| Name of the candle used to light the other eight | Shamash |
| Other names | Chanukiah, Menorah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, ḥanukkiyah, or chanukkiyot, or Yiddish: khanuke lomp |
| Name of the miracle | Miracle of Oil |
| Number of days the oil burned | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
The Hanukkah menorah has nine candles
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one candle being lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all nine are lit on the eighth and final night. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the ancient miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only enough oil to burn for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight. The eight main branches of the menorah represent these eight nights, and the ninth branch, the shamash, represents the miracle of the oil.
The lighting of the menorah is a beloved tradition for Jewish people around the world. The menorah is placed on a windowsill or outside the house to shine a light through the darkness and show that the home is Jewish. The candles are typically blue and white, and the blessings are recited before the candles are lit.
The Hanukkah menorah is also symbolic of the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven branches of the ancient menorah represented the six types of secular human wisdom, with the seventh reminding us of the importance of God. The Hanukkah menorah, with its nine branches, adds to this symbolism, with the extra two branches perhaps representing the miracle of the oil and the resilience of the Jewish people.
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Eight candles represent the eight nights of Hanukkah
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with each candle representing one night of the eight-day Jewish holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, in addition to the shamash. On the second night, the shamash and two other candles are lit, and so on, until the final night when all nine candles are burning. This is why Hanukkah is often referred to as the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorah represents the six types of secular human wisdom, with the seventh branch reminding us of the importance of God. Today, the seven-branched menorah is purely decorative and is not lit.
The lighting of the menorah is one of the most well-known Hanukkah traditions. The candles are often blue and white, and they are placed in a window or on a windowsill so that the light shines through the darkness. The menorah itself is also sometimes placed on a shelf outside the house as a symbol that the home is Jewish.
The miracle of the oil is an important part of the Hanukkah story. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only a tiny amount of oil—enough for just one night. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight nights, and this is why menorah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights during Hanukkah.
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One candle, the shamash, is used to light the other eight
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 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 shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the eight other candles or oil lamps. The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit—the shamash and one other. On the second night, the shamash and two other candles are lit. This continues each night, until the final night when all nine candles are lit.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of a small amount of oil that was found in the Temple in Jerusalem and burned for eight days. This allowed the Maccabees time to find more oil and rededicate the Temple. The miracle is also known as the miracle of the oil.
The lighting of the menorah is one of the most common Hanukkah traditions. The menorah is placed on a windowsill, shining a light through the darkness at a time of year when the days are short. The menorah is also a symbol of light.
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The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum that is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one additional light being lit each night to commemorate the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which means "helper" or "servant". The shamash is used to light the other eight candles.
The Hanukkah menorah has a rich history and symbolism. It commemorates the ancient miracle of the oil that was found in the Temple during the Maccabean rebellion. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only enough oil to burn for one night. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight nights, allowing them time to rededicate the Temple.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah has become a beloved tradition among Jewish people around the world. Each night, one more candle is lit, increasing the amount of light with each passing night. This has earned Hanukkah the name of the Jewish Festival of Lights. The menorah is often placed in a window or on a shelf outside the house to shine a light through the darkness and signify a Jewish home.
The Hanukkah menorah is also a significant piece of Jewish ceremonial art, along with the seven-branched menorah and the Star of David. While the seven-branched menorah is used for decorative purposes, the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah holds a special place in Jewish tradition, symbolising the miracle of light and perseverance during challenging times.
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The miracle of the oil is honoured by the lighting of the candles
The Jewish people have a long tradition of celebrating the miracle of the oil during Hanukkah. This is done by lighting candles on a menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding a "helper" candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
The miracle of the oil commemorates an ancient miracle: when Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. To rededicate the Temple, they needed to burn oil in a menorah, but they only had a tiny amount of oil—enough for just one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight nights, and this is why menorah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights during Hanukkah.
The lighting of the menorah candles is one of the most well-known Hanukkah traditions. The menorah is typically placed on a windowsill, shining a light through the darkness during the shorter days of the year. The number of candles lit increases each night, starting with one candle on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all nine candles are lit on the eighth and final night.
The miracle of the oil is also reflected in Hanukkah foods such as latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). The lighting of the menorah and the celebration of the miracle of the oil are powerful symbols of the Jewish people's resilience and their ability to overcome adversity. Today, the lighting of the menorah continues to be a cherished tradition, bringing families and communities together during the festive season.
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Frequently asked questions
Two candles are lit on the first night of Hanukkah. One is the shamash or "helper" candle, and the other is the first of the eight candles representing the eight nights of the holiday.
On the last night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit, including the shamash and the eight candles representing each night of the holiday.
You need 44 candles for each menorah over Hanukkah. This includes the shamash candle, which is lit eight times, and the 36 other candles.
The candles on the menorah represent the ancient miracle of a small amount of oil that was found in the temple and burned for eight days.
