Tyler Brooks
The 9-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah or chanukiah, is a popular Judaica piece used in Jewish homes during Hanukkah. Eight of the nine candles represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, often elevated or in the center, is the 'shamash' or helper candle, used to light the others. The 9-branched menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, which had seven branches representing the seven days of Creation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Branches | 9 |
| Represents | The eight days of Chanukah/Hanukkah |
| Ninth candle | 'Shamash' or helper candle, used to light the other eight candles |
| Eighth candle | Represents the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight days instead of one |
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What You'll Learn
The nine candles on a menorah
The shamash, which means "helper" or "servant", is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. It is not extinguished after lighting the other candles but remains lit in case it is needed to relight a candle that has blown out. This is because, by Jewish law, the light of the other eight candles must not be used for practical purposes.
The Hanukkah menorah recalls the expulsion of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem by Judah Maccabee. Maccabee and his followers sought oil for the temple's menorah, but they only found enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. The nine candles on the Hanukkah menorah represent these eight days, plus the shamash to light the others.
The menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art, along with the seven-branched menorah used in ancient times and the Star of David. The lighting of the menorah is celebrated in various countries, including the US, where the White House has been represented at the lighting of the National Menorah since 1979.
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Eight nights of Chanukah
The nine-branched menorah, or "chanukiah", is used during the eight-night celebration of Hanukkah. Eight of the candles represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, often in the centre or elevated, is the 'shamash' or helper candle, used to light the others.
The miracle of the one-day supply of oil miraculously lasting eight days is described in the Talmud. 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. They found only a single container sealed by the High Priest, with enough oil to keep the menorah in the Temple lit for a single day. However, it burned for eight days, the time it took to have new oil pressed and made ready.
The eight-day celebration of Hanukkah is marked by a series of rituals, some family-based and others communal. There are special additions to the daily prayer service, and a section is added to the blessing after meals. Adherents go to work as usual but may leave early to be home to light the candles at nightfall. Fried foods, such as latkes (potato pancakes), jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) and Sephardic bimuelos, are eaten to commemorate the importance of oil during the celebration. Many families exchange gifts each night, such as books or games, and "Hanukkah Gelt" is often given to children.
The nine-branched menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, with two branches added to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight nights instead of one. The original seven-branch menorah, as described in the Hebrew Bible, symbolised the seven days of Creation and was placed in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem.
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The shamash candle
The Hanukkah menorah has nine candles, while the original Temple menorah has seven. The shamash candle was added to the traditional seven-branched menorah to represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to stay lit for eight nights instead of one. The eight nights of Hanukkah are memorialised in the eight candles of the Chanukiah, with each candle representing a day the oil in the temple's menorah miraculously burned during the Maccabean revolt.
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The miracle of the oil
The nine-branched menorah, or "chanukiah", used during Hanukkah, has eight candles representing the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth candle, often in the centre or elevated, is the 'shamash' or helper candle, used to light the other candles. The eight days of Hanukkah memorialise the miracle of the oil during the Maccabean Revolt.
The nine-branched menorah used during Hanukkah is inspired by the original seven-branched Temple menorah, with two branches added to represent the miracle of the oil. The Temple menorah, described in the Hebrew Bible, was made of pure gold and lit with fresh, pure olive oil. The original design symbolised the seven days of Creation and held deep spiritual significance for the Jewish people.
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The Festival of Lights
The original menorah, as described in the Hebrew Bible, had seven branches and was placed in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. It symbolised the seven days of Creation. The Hanukkah menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, but with two branches added to represent the miracle of the oil. The Temple menorah was made of pure gold and lit with fresh, pure, kosher olive oil. The original seven-branch design has persisted as a Jewish emblem and is still recognised as the iconic Jewish candleholder.
The eight-day miracle of the oil is not mentioned in the story of Hanukkah as told in Maccabees but was created later, possibly to repurpose the holiday from a military one to a religious one. The festival also commemorates the importance of keeping sacred lamps burning in the Temple, and how God provided a miracle to ensure that happened, despite the lack of oil.
The practice of lighting candles during special times of worship and prayer is common in Christianity, as it helps to focus thoughts and prayers on Jesus. Lamps were used to symbolise the presence of God in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple and were often referenced in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus referred to himself as "the light" and called on his followers to do the same.
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Frequently asked questions
The 9-candled menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah or "chanukiah", represents the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to be lit for eight nights instead of one during the Maccabean revolt.
Eight of the nine candles represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth candle, often in the center or elevated, is the 'shamash' or helper candle, used to light the other eight candles.
The 9-candled menorah was inspired by the original Temple menorah, which had seven branches and was placed in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. The Temple menorah symbolized the seven days of Creation.
The menorah is lit on Hanukkah to commemorate the importance of keeping sacred lamps burning in the Temple and how God provided a miracle to ensure that happened, even though there was no oil.
While the eight nights of Hanukkah do not traditionally have meanings attached to each individual night, some modern leaders are suggesting giving each day a specific meaning or value.
