Brooke Martin
In the Jewish faith, a candle holder is called a menorah. The word menorah comes from the Hebrew word for lamp. The menorah is a candelabra with seven or nine branches. The nine-branched menorah, also called a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah, is used during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The original menorah, which had seven branches, was described in the Hebrew Bible and used in the Tabernacle. It was lit daily in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the First and Second Temple periods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of lights | 9 |
| Type of lights | Candles or oil lamps |
| Purpose | To be lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah |
| Ritual | One light is lit each night, with the Shamash ("helper" or "servant") candle used to light the other eight |
| Arrangement | The Shamash is offset on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles, which may be arranged in a straight line or a curve |
| Symbolism | Commemorates the expulsion by Judah Maccabee of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days |
| History | The menorah was first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where God revealed the design of a six-branched candlestick to Moses; the original menorah was made of gold and used oil lamps |
| Modern usage | Public lighting ceremonies are common, including at the White House since 1993; menorahs are also displayed in synagogues and Jewish homes as a symbol of the Jewish religion |
| Variants | Menorahs can come in various shapes and materials, including a "Menorah Tree" inspired by the Christmas tree and a digital menorah |
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What You'll Learn
The Hanukkah menorah
Hanukkah menorahs are sold in Judaica stores and online and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be made of any nonflammable material. In the United States, the public display of hanukkiahs and Christmas trees on public grounds has been the source of legal battles. However, in 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the display of hanukkiahs and Christmas trees did not violate the Establishment Clause, as they were not endorsements of a particular faith.
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The history of the menorah
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra that is used in the religious rituals of Judaism. The word 'menorah' comes from the Hebrew word for 'lamp'. The original menorah was an oil lamp, but today, menorahs are also used to burn candles.
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), where it is described as having been revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. According to the Hebrew Bible, the menorah was to be made out of a single piece of gold and was to have six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other" (Exodus 25:31). The central shaft was somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath and was flanked by three lights on each side. It was forged by the craftsman Bezalel and put in the Tabernacle, and its cups in the shape of flower blossoms suggested the tree of life.
The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. 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 when he desecrated the Temple. Judas Maccabeus ordered the construction of a new seven-branched candelabra, which he placed in the Temple after the desecration by Antiochus. The menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Rabbinic sources teach that the menorah stood approximately 1.62 metres (5.3 feet) high.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabra lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. 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 the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
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The menorah in popular culture
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. It is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where God reveals the design for the menorah to Moses. The candlestick was to be made of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other". The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle, and its cups in the shape of flower blossoms suggested the tree of life.
The menorah has become a popular symbol of Judaism, especially after the destruction of the Second Temple, when it was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs. It is also used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from those of Christians and pagans. The menorah is also used in other cults, such as Masonry, which considers its lighting to be a way to enhance the brotherhood's skills.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabra lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), used to light the other eight. On each night of Hanukkah, one more light is lit, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited.
The public display of the hanukkiah has been a source of legal battles in the United States, with the Supreme Court ruling that it does not violate the Establishment Clause as it is part of the winter holiday season and has attained a secular status in US society. The lighting of the hanukkiah has also been embraced by US presidents, with a hanukkiah lit at the White House since 1993 and an annual White House Hanukkah Party since 2001.
The menorah has inspired a variety of offbeat Hanukkah products on the American market, such as the "Menorah Tree" inspired by the Christmas tree tradition, a "Menorah Bong", and the "Menurkey", a turkey-shaped menorah that gained popularity when Thanksgiving and the second night of Hanukkah coincided in 2013.
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The shamash candle
The Hanukkah menorah is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorah is mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where God reveals its design to Moses on Mount Sinai. The candlestick was to be made of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other". The seven-branched menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
The Hanukkah menorah, on the other hand, has nine branches, eight of which hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of Hanukkah. On each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds the shamash candle, which is used to light the other eight.
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The use of the menorah in Jewish worship
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that is deeply rooted in Jewish history and is a widely recognized symbol of Judaism. The design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, as described in the biblical book of Exodus. The menorah was to be forged from a single piece of gold, with a central shaft and six branches—three on each side—and cups shaped like flower blossoms.
The menorah has been a significant part of Jewish worship since ancient times and has been used in various rituals and ceremonies. It was originally placed in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, also housed a menorah until it was seized by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 169 BCE. The menorah from the Second Temple was carried to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and its whereabouts after the Vandal sack of Rome in 455 CE remain a mystery.
Despite the loss of the original menorah, it continued to be an important symbol for Jews and was even adopted as the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948. The menorah is often displayed in synagogues and private homes, and its lighting is considered a sacred ritual. During the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, an eight-branched menorah, known as the Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah, is lit. This type of menorah has nine branches, with eight branches holding candles or oil lamps symbolizing the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth branch, called the shamash or "servant," used to light the others. Each night, an additional light is lit until all eight branches are illuminated on the final night.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a sacred ritual that is often performed publicly and has been embraced by world leaders, including US presidents. The ritual symbolizes the duration and vitality of the Judaic faith and celebrates the miracle of the Menorah of Jerusalem, where the oil continued burning for eight days despite a limited supply. The Hanukkah menorah is not just a religious symbol but also a source of unity and pride for Jewish communities worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
A Jewish candle holder is called a menorah.
A menorah is a candelabra with seven or nine branches. The seven-branched menorah is the original design, inspired by the candelabra described in the Hebrew Bible and used by Moses in the Tabernacle. The nine-branched menorah, or hanukkiah, is used during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The menorah is a symbol of the Jewish religion and has been used in Jewish worship. It represents human wisdom and enlightenment and is also associated with modern Zionism and the Land of Israel. The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah commemorates the expulsion by Judah Maccabee of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem.
