Ben Carter
The nine-branched menorah, also known as the Hanukkah menorah or Hanukkiah, is a candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. The nine candles represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the original candelabra in the Temple to stay lit for eight nights instead of one, with the ninth candle, the Shamash, used to light the other eight. The Shamash represents God's helping hand in partnership with human action. The menorah is a symbol of Judaism and the nation of Israel, with the light of the menorah symbolising an eternal flame.
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What You'll Learn
The miracle of oil lasting eight days
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a candelabrum lit during the holiday of Hanukkah. The ninth candle, called the Shamash, or "helper", is used to light the other eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah. The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is a story that came later in Jewish tradition, likely an attempt by rabbis to shift the emphasis of the story from military conflict to the importance of religious freedom, hope, and light.
The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is a central part of the Hanukkah story. After the Maccabean rebels recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem, they could only find enough oil to light the menorah for one day. However, this one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, hence the eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah.
The menorah itself traces its origins to the second century BCE. The original menorah had seven branches, one for each day of Creation, and burned in the Temple in Judea. The seven-branched menorah has persisted as a powerful symbol of Judaism and the nation of Israel. It has been interpreted as a symbol of Israel's mission to be "a light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a way of bringing the holiness of the ancient Temple rededicated by the Maccabees into Jewish homes. The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is a reminder of God's divine presence and a symbol of the victory of a small ray of light over vast darkness. The Hanukkah story is thus connected to the theme of light overcoming darkness in the biblical story of Creation and the weekly cycle of Shabbat.
The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is also significant because it allows each family to participate in creating the miracle of Hanukkah by lighting their own menorah. The lighting of the menorah is a re-dedication of one's commitment to faith and family, and a way of bringing holiness into the home. The Hanukkah menorah is thus a powerful symbol of Jewish identity and continuity.
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The rededication of the Temple
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a candelabrum lit during the holiday of Hanukkah, which means "dedication". Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, and the nine candles of the menorah are symbolic of this event.
The story of the rededication of the Temple dates back to the second century B.C.E. when Judea was caught in a conflict between the Egyptian and Greek-Assyrian empires. Under the rule of Antiochus IV, Judaism was outlawed, and the Jewish Temple was desecrated. A small group of people, known as the Maccabees, rebelled and took back the Temple. They relit the menorah, and, according to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days.
The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah has one candle for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and a ninth candle, called the Shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the others. The Shamash is placed on a different level from the other eight candles to be kosher. The lighting of the menorah is a ritual that brings the holiness of the ancient Temple rededication into Jewish homes. It is a symbol of religious freedom, hope, and light.
The original seven-branched menorah, inspired by the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle, was later lit daily in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the First and Second Temple periods. It was made of pure gold and lit with fresh, pure, kosher olive oil. The seven branches of the original menorah represent the seven days of Creation. The menorah was looted by the Romans during the destruction of the Holy Temple in 70 CE, but it remains a powerful symbol of Judaism and the State of Israel.
The Hanukkah menorah, with its nine branches, is a reminder of the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights and a symbol of the rededication of the Temple.
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The Shamash candle
The Shamash represents God's helping hand in partnership with human action. The light of the Shamash is meant to be enjoyed and not used for work or study. It is a symbol of the holiness of the holiday and is brought into Jewish homes to represent the ancient Temple that was rededicated by the Maccabees.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a nine-branched candelabrum inspired by the original seven-branched Temple menorah. The original menorah had one branch for each of the seven days of Creation and burned in the Temple in Judea. The two extra branches on the Hanukkah menorah represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the candelabra to stay lit for eight days instead of one.
The lighting of the menorah is a re-dedication of one's commitment to faith and family. The light of the menorah symbolizes an eternal flame and is meant to represent the nation of Israel and its mission to be "a light unto the nations". The menorah has become a symbol of Jewish pride and identity and is often used as a decoration in Jewish homes and synagogues.
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The seven days of creation
The nine-branched menorah, or hanukkiyah, is used during Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple. The nine candles include eight candles, one lit on each night of Hanukkah, and a ninth candle, called the Shamash or "helper", which is used to light the others. The nine candles also represent the miracle of the oil that allowed the menorah to remain lit for eight nights instead of one.
The seven-branched menorah, on the other hand, 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 during the First and Second Temple periods. The seven branches are said to represent the seven days of creation. The priests lit the menorah every evening and cleaned it every morning, replacing the wicks and refilling the cups with fresh olive oil.
The menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art and is a traditional symbol of Judaism and the State of Israel. The seven-branched menorah has persisted as a Jewish emblem and is recognised as the iconic Jewish candle holder. It is used as a decoration in synagogues and Jewish homes around the world and has experienced a resurgence as a powerful representation of Jewish pride and identity.
The word "menorah" means "lamp" in Hebrew. The menorah traces its origins to the second century BCE when Judea was caught in a conflict between the Egyptian and Greek-Assyrian empires. The original menorah was made of pure gold and lit with kosher olive oil.
In summary, while the nine-branched menorah is used during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of the oil, the seven-branched menorah is a traditional symbol of Judaism, representing the seven days of creation.
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The Maccabean victory
The nine-branched menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a candelabrum lit during Hanukkah. The nine candles include eight candles for each of the eight days of Hanukkah and a ninth candle, called the Shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The nine-branched menorah is inspired by the original seven-branched menorah, which was looted by the Romans in 70 CE. The seven-branched menorah was inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle. It was later lit daily in the Temple in Jerusalem throughout the First and Second Temple periods. The seven branches of the original menorah represent the seven days of creation.
The nine-branched menorah was inspired by a miracle. After the Maccabean victory, the Jewish people rededicated the Temple and lit the menorah. The oil should have only lasted one night, but it miraculously lasted eight nights.
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Frequently asked questions
The nine-branched menorah, or Hanukkiah, is used during Hanukkah to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. The oil that should have lasted for one night lasted for eight nights. The nine candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah, with the ninth candle, called the Shamash, used to light the other eight.
Shamash means "helper" or "servant" and is used to light the other candles or oil lamps.
The seven branches represent the seven days of creation.
Candles are lit during Jewish holidays and on Shabbat as a reminder that the occasion is holy and distinct from everyday life. They also represent God's divine presence, joy, and the human soul.
Candles are lit before sunset on Friday evening before Shabbat. A special braided Havdalah candle is lit at the end of Shabbat, representing the first work of the new week. Memorial candles are also lit by Jewish families on the yahrzeit (death anniversary) of loved ones.
