Brooke Martin
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door. The shamash, or helper candle, is lit first and used to light the other eight candles, one more candle than the previous night. The shamash is placed in the centre or on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The candles are typically lit just after sunset or when everyone in the household is present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles lit on the first night | Two |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | Nine |
| Number of candles required to complete the ritual | 44 |
| Number of candles in a box | 45 |
| Direction in which candles are placed | Right to left |
| Direction in which candles are lit | Left to right |
| Time of lighting | After sundown |
| Exceptions | Friday and Saturday nights |
| Placement | Facing the street, window, table, or outside the door |
| Number of candles lit each night | One |
| Number of nights | Eight |
| Type of candles | Beeswax |
| Duration of burning | 30 minutes |
| Type of fuel | Olive oil |
| Type of wick | Cotton |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle is lit first
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant" candle, is lit first when lighting the candles on a menorah. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah or on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. It is used to light the other eight candles, which are placed in the menorah from right to left and lit from left to right.
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The nine candles on the menorah represent the eight nights of the holiday, with one candle lit on each night, and the ninth candle, the shamash, used to light the others. The lighting of the menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days when the Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from the Greeks.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door, to spread light to others. It is lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah, although many families wait until everyone is home together before lighting it. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting it during Shabbat, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law.
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration, as it is used to light the other candles and is given a place of honour in the centre or on a higher or lower plane than the other candles. It is lit first and used to spread light and joy to others during the festival of Hanukkah.
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The shamash candle is used to light the other eight
The shamash candle, also known as the “helper” or “servant” candle, is used to light the other eight candles on the menorah. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah or on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, and then it is used to light the candle on the far right. The shamash is then returned to its spot, where it remains lit. On the second night, the shamash is again lit first, and then it is used to light the candle second from the right, followed by the candle on the far right. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all nine candles are lit, with the shamash used to light the other eight.
The shamash candle is typically lit just after sunset or when everyone in the household is gathered together. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
The shamash candle is significant as it represents the miracle of Hanukkah. According to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. The shamash candle, therefore, symbolises this miracle and is used to light the other eight candles, representing the eight nights of Hanukkah.
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The candles are lit after sundown
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The nine branches hold eight candles or oil lamps, one for each night of Hanukkah, and a ninth "helper" candle, or shamash, used to light the others. The shamash candle is placed in the centre or at a higher or lower level than the other eight.
The shamash candle is lit first, and then used to light the other candles from left to right. On the first night of Hanukkah, the candle on the far right is lit, then on the second night, the candle second from the right, and so on, until on the final night, all nine candles are lit. The blessings are said before the candles are lit.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the front door, to spread light to others. The miracle of the oil is honoured by using an oil menorah, with olive oil as the ideal fuel, and cotton wicks for a smooth flame.
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The menorah is placed in a window, on a table or outside the door
The menorah 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 the ninth branch holding a "helper" candle, or shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed in the centre or at a higher or lower level than the other candles. The shamash is lit first, followed by the remaining candles from left to right.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door. It is placed in a window facing the street to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah, with many passers-by enjoying the sight of the candles. In moments of antisemitism, some Jews have chosen to light the menorah in a window as an act of bravery and defiance. The menorah can also be placed outside on a shelf, though this is less common today.
The menorah should be placed away from children and flammable materials. It should not be moved once lit, and the flames should always be kept in sight for safety reasons.
The menorah is lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting candles on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. On Saturday, the candles are lit after sunset when Shabbat has ended.
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The menorah is lit for eight nights
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum with eight branches holding candles or oil lamps, and a ninth branch for the shamash or "helper" candle. Each night, one additional candle is lit, starting from the rightmost spot and moving left, until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The shamash is used to light the other candles and is placed in the centre or at a higher or lower level than the other candles.
The menorah is typically lit just after sunset or nightfall, with blessings recited before the lighting. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The menorah is often placed in a window or outside the home to spread light and publicly celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah.
The lighting of the menorah is a significant tradition for Jews during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. It is a time for families and friends to come together, sing songs, exchange gifts, and eat traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot. The menorah serves as a symbol of light and defiance, reminding Jews of their history and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
A candle on the menorah is lit every night of Hanukkah.
Two candles are lit on the first night of Hanukkah. One is the shamash or "helper" candle, and the other is the first night's candle.
All nine candles are lit on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah.
The shamash candle, also known as the "attendant" or "servant" candle, is used to light the other eight candles.
The candles on the menorah are lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, on Fridays, the candles are lit before sunset to avoid lighting them on Shabbat.
