Chloe Adams
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism and has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. On each night, one more light is lit than the night before, until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| English name | Menorah or Hanukkah menorah |
| Hebrew name | Hanukkiah |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Number of candles lit each night | 1 |
| Candle used to light other candles | Shamash ("helper" or "servant") |
| Number of branches lit each night | 8 |
| Last branch lit | The shamash |
| Arrangement of candles | Differing opinions; some say in a straight line, others say in a curve |
| Height of shamash | Higher or lower than the other candles |
| Height of the other candles | Same |
| Material | Anodized aluminum, brass, sterling silver, sheet steel, etc. |
| Design | Colorful, minimalist, hand-painted, modernist, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum
- The shamash is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah, used to light the other eight
- The seven-branched menorah is an important symbol in Judaism and an emblem of Israel
- The Hanukkah menorah symbolises the miracle of the Maccabees re-sanctifying the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
- The word menorah means lamp in Hebrew
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum
The Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees re-sanctified the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Talmud, the Maccabees found only enough oil to light the temple's candles for one day, but the 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.
The menorah has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a popular motif of religious art in antiquity. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, though it differs in that it has nine branches instead of seven.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah has become a widely celebrated tradition, with public displays of hanukkiahs taking place in locations such as the White House, the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, and New York City. Hanukkah menorahs come in a variety of styles and materials, ranging from traditional designs to contemporary creations by artists such as David Gerstein and Avner Agayof.
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The shamash is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah, used to light the other eight
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum used during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, representing the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, derived from the Hebrew words "helper" or "servant". The shamash is used to light the other eight candles.
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The shamash is set apart from the other eight candles, often at a higher or lower elevation, to symbolise its role as the "'helper' candle". The shamash is typically lit first and used to light the other candles, with one additional candle lit each night until all eight branches are illuminated on the final night.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a significant ritual in Judaism. The eight candles represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, commemorating the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Greeks. The ninth candle, the shamash, serves as a helper to light the other candles and is often placed in the centre or at a different elevation to distinguish it from the others.
The Hanukkah menorah has become a widely recognised symbol of Judaism and is often displayed publicly during the holiday. In the United States, the lighting of the National Menorah has included participation from the White House since 1979. Similarly, the House of Commons in the United Kingdom holds an annual hanukkiah lighting ceremony at the official residence of the Speaker of the House.
The shamash holds a unique role in the Hanukkah tradition. While its primary function is to light the other eight candles, it is not extinguished after they are lit. Instead, it is left adjacent to the other candles, ready to "serve" if a candle blows out or if a source of light is needed. This practice preserves the sanctity of the mitzvah lights, as it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah lights for practical purposes.
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The seven-branched menorah is an important symbol in Judaism and an emblem of Israel
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. It has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a popular motif of religious art in antiquity. The design of the menorah was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, according to the biblical book of Exodus. The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other".
The seven-branched menorah has acted as a symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people. It has been a Jewish emblem since before the popularity of the Star of David. Representations of the menorah decorated tombs and the walls and floors of synagogues. In modern times, historians and artists have constructed replicas of the original seven-branched menorah, according to biblical and historical descriptions. It has become strongly associated with Zionism and the Land of Israel. It can be found on the official Israeli coat of arms and is seen all over the country on state institutions, public sculptures, and even Israeli passports and other government documents.
The menorah is also used in the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. An eight- or nine-branched menorah, modelled after the Temple menorah, is used by Jews during this festival. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah has eight branches holding candles or oil lamps, symbolizing the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The seven-branched menorah is an important symbol of Judaism and an emblem of ancient and modern Israel. It represents the Jewish faith, history, and heritage and is a powerful representation of Jewish pride and identity.
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The Hanukkah menorah symbolises the miracle of the Maccabees re-sanctifying the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees re-sanctifying the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The story of Hanukkah began in 167 BCE, when Judea became Hellenized under the ruler Antiochus IV. Antiochus outlawed Judaism, forbidding Jewish people from keeping the Sabbath and keeping kosher, and desecrating the Holy Temple. In response, a small group of Jewish people, led by Judah Maccabee, rebelled against the Greeks and succeeded in reclaiming the Temple.
According to Jewish law, the Temple Menorah was required to stay lit 24 hours a day using consecrated oil. When Judah and his followers restored the Temple, they found only enough consecrated oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for a single day. However, by a miracle, the oil lasted for eight days—the time needed to prepare new sanctified oil.
The Hanukkah menorah symbolises this miracle, with nine branches holding lights (candles or oil lamps) that correspond to the eight days of Hanukkah. On each night, one additional light is lit until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple by the Maccabees and celebrates the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Jewish people in their fight for religious freedom.
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The word menorah means lamp in Hebrew
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism and has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew Bible states that God revealed the design for the menorah to Moses. The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other". The lamp in the centre is designed like a bowl or a basin, while the other lamps and their wicks are designed to point towards the central lamp.
The word menorah derives from the Hebrew root "nur", meaning "to shine" or "to give light". It is another form of the noun "ner", which means "lamp" or "candle". The ""ah" ending makes the word feminine, and the prefix "me-" indicates "agent or place of". Thus, the word menorah means "the place of light" or "an agent of light".
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The craftsman Bezalel forged the menorah, and it was put in the Tabernacle. The Temple of Solomon had 10 golden candelabras, five on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary. 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.
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 lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), which is used to light the other eight. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
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Frequently asked questions
Jewish candle holders are called menorahs.
A menorah holds nine candles—one for each night of Hanukkah and a helper candle in the middle to light the others.
A Hanukkiah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It is also referred to as a Hanukkah menorah.
A menorah has seven candle holders and was used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem. A Hanukkiah, on the other hand, has nine candlesticks to represent the eight nights of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.
The Hanukkah menorah symbolizes the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees re-sanctified the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why there are nine candles on the Hanukkah menorah.
