Tyler Brooks
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism and has been a significant 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 nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah, is the most popular piece of Judaica in Jewish homes. The Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches, with the ninth lamp, called the shamash, set apart to light the other candles. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name in Hebrew | Menorat ḥanukkah, chanukkiyah, ḥanukkiyah, or chanukkiyah |
| Other names | Chanukiah, hanukkiah, kinara |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Number of lights | 8 |
| Type of lights | Candles or oil lamps |
| Fuel | Olive oil |
| Location | Jewish homes, synagogues, public places |
| Holiday | Hanukkah |
| Duration of the holiday | 8 days |
| Number of candles lit each night | One more than the previous night |
| Ninth candle | Shamash ("helper" or "servant"), used to light the other eight |
| Arrangement | Straight line, not a semicircle |
| Level | Even |
| Other uses | Byzantine Rite |
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What You'll Learn
The Menorah in Judaism
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that has been a symbol of the Jewish faith for thousands of years. The seven branches represent the six days of creation and the seventh day of rest in the biblical account of Genesis. The menorah is often used to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, but its significance within Jewish culture goes deeper.
The history of the menorah dates back to ancient times, when it was used in the Temple in Jerusalem as a source of light. According to the biblical account in Exodus, God commanded Moses to make a seven-branched candelabrum for use in the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The menorah was to be made of pure gold and decorated with almond blossoms, buds, and flowers.
When the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, the menorah became an even more important symbol of the Jewish people and their faith. Today, the menorah is still a powerful symbol of Jewish identity, history, and faith, and it is often used in religious services and ceremonies, as well as in homes.
The menorah is also associated with the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. This is a harbinger of the ultimate and most visionary idea of Judaism, that we can overcome death. The menorah reflects the fire of the soul and its unceasing desire to rise to the source. The seven branches represent the seven channels of spiritual self-expression.
The menorah has been absorbed into Jewish culture because it represents central and important images of the Jewish religion. The act of constructing and lighting the menorah is believed to bring about spiritual change and is often the only mitzvah that still speaks to people who are far from Judaism.
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The Hanukkah Menorah
The word menorah is a Hebrew word that simply means "lamp". The ancient menorah had seven branches—one for each day of Creation—and it burned in the Temple in what was then Judea. The Hanukkah Menorah has nine branches (instead of the traditional seven) and does not contain the same holiness as the original Menorah, so some refer to it as a "Hanukkiah". This term is particularly popular in Israel and among Hebrew speakers.
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The Temple Menorah
The menorah is a candelabrum with a long history in Judaism. The menorah is said to have originated in the story of Exodus, when God commanded the Israelites to light the menorah as they left slavery in Egypt. The original menorah was a seven-branched candelabrum, with each branch representing the seven days of creation.
The menorah became a distinctive symbol of Judaism following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. It was depicted in various forms of art, including on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, reliefs, glass, and metal objects. The menorah was also used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from those of other faiths.
The most famous representation of the menorah is from the Second Temple and was depicted on the Arch of Titus in Rome. This frieze shows the menorah resting on a hexagonal base, with each facet of the base featuring a protruding frame set against a sunken panel. The menorah was reportedly taken from Jerusalem to Rome following the destruction of the Temple and has since been associated with various locations, including Carthage, Constantinople, and eventually Jerusalem again, though its final resting place is unknown.
The menorah stands approximately 1.8 metres tall and is made of pure gold. The construction of the menorah follows specific guidelines outlined in the Book of Exodus and Jewish law, including requirements for materials, dimensions, ornamentation, and manner of manufacture. The menorah features a central shaft with six branches extending from its sides, three on each side, with each branch holding a goblet, a knob, and a flower.
Today, a menorah stands in Jerusalem's Old City Jewish Quarter, overlooking the Temple Mount. This menorah was crafted by the Temple Institute after years of extensive research and weighs approximately one-half ton, containing 45 kilograms of 24-karat gold.
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The Shamash
The word "shamash" was not originally associated with Hanukkah and only became linked to the holiday in the 16th century. The term first appeared in the Mishnah (c. 200 CE) and the Talmud (c. 500 CE). Interestingly, the name is derived from the Akkadian word šamšu ("sun") and is also the name of the ancient Mesopotamian sun god Shamash, also known as Utu.
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The Chanukkiyah
The word menorah simply means "lamp" in Hebrew. The Chanukkiyah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The Chanukkiyah commemorates the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days, symbolizing resilience and faith. The custom of lighting the Chanukkiyah commemorates the Maccabean revolt against the ruler Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism in Judea. As the story goes, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days.
The term "Chanukkiyah" originated among Judeo-Spanish-speaking Sephardic communities in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 18th century. It was introduced into Modern Hebrew by Hemda Ben-Yehuda, whose husband Eliezer Ben Yehuda was a leading force behind the revival of the Hebrew language in the 19th century. Today, the Chanukkiyah is widely recognized and often displayed publicly, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom, where ceremonies are held to mark the holiday.
The lighting of the Chanukkiyah follows a specific ritual. Each evening of Hanukkah, a new candle is placed in the candelabrum, starting from the far right. The candles should ideally burn until they extinguish themselves. However, if they must be blown out, they should be allowed to burn for at least thirty minutes and then extinguished from left to right. During the lighting, a number of blessings are recited, including a prayer to bless the candles.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles used in a menorah are called the shamash, or "helper" or "servant" candles.
A menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
A 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, and the ninth branch holds a shamash candle, which is used to light the other eight.
