Chloe Adams
The nine-branched candelabra, called the Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah, is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The ninth candle, called the shamash, or helper, is used to light the other eight candles, with one more candle being lit each night. The shamash is placed on a different level than the other eight candles. The Hanukkah menorah is inspired by the seven-branched menorah, which is a traditional symbol of Judaism and was described in the Hebrew Bible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Name | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah |
| Number of candles | 9 |
| What the candles represent | The miracle of the oil lasting 8 days |
| The ninth candle | Shamash ("helper" or "servant") |
| Shamash's function | Used to light the other 8 candles |
| Placement of Shamash | On a higher or lower plane than the other 8 candles |
| Arrangement of candles | Differing opinions on whether they must be in a straight line or can be arranged in a curve |
| Ritual | One light is lit each night during the 8-day celebration |
| Location of ritual | In the home |
| Other names | Menorah Tree, Menurkey, Interactive Menorah |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
Visually, the shamash stands out from the other eight candles of the Hanukkah menorah, often called the Hanukkiah. It is typically placed in the center, slightly apart from the other candles, or on a higher or lower level to mark its distinction. The shamash is lit first, and its flame is then used to light the other candles, one additional candle each night of the eight-day festival.
Beyond its symbolic value, the shamash also has practical significance. It is used to light the other candles because, in Jewish law, the Hanukkah lights are meant to be witnessed and appreciated, not used for illumination or work. By lighting the other candles with the shamash, the Hanukkah lights remain sacred and untouched by mundane use.
In conclusion, the shamash candle holds a special place in the Hanukkah tradition. It is a symbol of hope, faith, and the enduring power of light. By lighting the shamash and using its flame to illuminate the other candles, Jews around the world celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah and affirm their commitment to spreading light and goodness in their lives and in the world.
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Hanukkah menorahs
The Hanukkah menorah is inspired by the original Temple menorah, but with two extra branches to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to stay lit for eight nights instead of one. The original Temple menorah, also known as the Tabernacle menorah, was a seven-branched candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle. It was later lit daily in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during both the First and Second Temple periods. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with fresh, kosher olive oil.
The Hanukkah menorah has become a more popular piece of Judaica in Jewish homes because it is necessary for observing Hanukkah rituals, and because the seven-branched menorah is not supposed to be lit outside of the Temple. The Hanukkah menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art, along with the seven-branched menorah and the Star of David.
In modern times, the public display of Hanukkah menorahs has become common, with lighting ceremonies taking place in various locations around the world, including the White House in the United States. The public menorah has become a symbol of Jewish pride and identity, and its lighting is often embraced by political leaders.
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The miracle of the oil
During this period, the Jews living in Judea were prohibited by Antiochus IV, the Seleucid king of Syria, from practising Judaism and were forced to worship Greek gods. The Maccabees, upon reclaiming Jerusalem, sought to purify and rededicate the Temple through various rituals, including the lighting of the Menorah.
According to the Talmud and other sources, the Maccabees found only one small flask or cruse of pure olive oil sealed with the symbol of the High Priest, which was enough to light the Menorah for a single day. However, miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, the time required to produce new pure oil. This miracle symbolised purification and the resilience of the Jewish people in preserving their religious practices.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah, has nine branches, eight of which hold lights representing each night of the holiday. The ninth branch, called the shamash or "servant," is used to light the other eight. The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a sacred obligation, commemorating the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees.
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The history of the menorah
The menorah is a multibranched candelabrum that has been 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. It is described in the Hebrew Bible as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It is said to have been made out of pure gold and the only source of fuel allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil. The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle, which was constructed by Moses.
The seven branches of the menorah represent the seven classical planets: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. They also represent the seven days of Creation. The menorah is said to have stood 1.62 metres (5.3 feet) or approximately 18 handbreadths/palms (three common cubits) high. There is a dispute regarding the positioning of the menorah, with some sources stating that it was situated obliquely, to the east and south, while others claim it was placed north to south, or east to west.
The menorah is closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, with the nine-branched variant being used in the festival's rites. The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has eight main branches with an additional raised ninth lamp, called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The eight main branches represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, with one additional light being lit each night. The ninth branch, the shamash, is typically placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight.
The use of the menorah as a symbol of Judaism became more prominent after the destruction of the Second Temple, when it was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs. It has been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from those of other faiths. The menorah has also been adopted as a symbol in Jewish art and funerary art, particularly during the late Roman and Byzantine periods.
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Hanukkah rituals
Hanukkah is celebrated with a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the eight-day holiday. Some are family-based, while others are communal. The commandment at the heart of the observance of the holiday is a "candle for each man and his household". The modern Reform understanding is that this text refers to everyone, not just men. So the actual mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah is to kindle the Hanukkah lights at home, ideally with family and friends. Blessings are recited when lighting the candles, which are held in a nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), which is used to light the other eight.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates, but is distinct from, the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorah is inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle. It was later lit daily in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem throughout both the First and Second Temple periods. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with fresh, pure, kosher olive oil. The Hanukkah menorah has two extra branches to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight nights instead of one.
The miracle of the one-day supply of oil miraculously lasting eight days is described in the Talmud, committed to writing about 600 years after the events described in the books of Maccabees. The Talmud says that after the forces of Antiochus IV had been driven from the Temple, the Maccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. Eventually, it became the practice to light eight candles, one each night of the eight-day festival, to recall the miracle that the sacred lamp oil lasted for eight days.
The Hanukkah menorah is placed in a window or elsewhere in the home so that it can be seen from the outside. This custom is especially prevalent in Israel, where cities and towns hold public menorah-lighting ceremonies and the entire country is full of candles, bright with the celebration of the Festival of Lights. In the United States, the White House has been represented at the lighting of the National Menorah since 1979. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The 9-branched candelabra is called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah.
The Hanukkah menorah has eight branches that hold candles or oil lamps, and a ninth branch that holds the shamash, or "servant" candle. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles. The menorah can be made from various shapes and materials.
The Hanukkah menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, but with two extra branches added to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight nights instead of one. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with fresh olive oil.
The Hanukkah menorah is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, with one new candle or wick lit on each night. The lighting of the candles expresses the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith.
