Ben Carter
The candle holder used during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah is called a menorah, hanukkiah, or chanukkiyah. It is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight branches holding candles or oil lamps to symbolise the eight nights of the holiday, and a ninth branch holding a candle called the shamash, or helper, which is used to light the other eight. The Hanukkah menorah is a variation of the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, and is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkiah, Chanukkiyah, or Hanukkah lamp |
| Number of Branches | 9 |
| Number of Lights | 9 |
| Type of Lights | Candles or oil lamps |
| Purpose of the Ninth Light | Shamash ("helper" or "servant"), used to light the other eight |
| Arrangement of Lights | Differing opinions, can be in a straight line or a curve |
| Placement | Displayed in a highly visible location |
| Materials | Gold, silver, enamel, olive oil, or candles |
| Design | Huge variety of designs and shapes, often based on depictions from the Titus Arch in Rome |
| Symbolism | Represents the miracle of Hanukkah, when a small amount of oil burned for eight days during the rededication of the Second Temple |
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What You'll Learn
- The candle holder for Hanukkah is called a menorah, hanukkiah, or chanukkiyah
- The menorah has nine branches, eight for each night of Hanukkah, and one to light the others
- The shamash, or servant candle, is the ninth candle
- The miracle of Hanukkah is that a small amount of oil miraculously burned for eight days
- The menorah is a symbol of Judaism and is often displayed in synagogues and Jewish homes
The candle holder for Hanukkah is called a menorah, hanukkiah, or chanukkiyah
The candle holder used during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah is called a menorah, hanukkiah, or chanukkiyah. It is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight of the nine branches holding candles or oil lamps that are lit over the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles.
The menorah is an important symbol in Judaism and an emblem of Israel. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where its design is revealed to Moses by God. The Temple of Solomon is said to have had 10 golden candelabras. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the menorah became a recognised symbol of Judaism and was used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries.
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched variant of the original menorah. It is also called a hanukkiah or chanukkiyah, with the former being the term used in Modern Hebrew. The hanukkiah has been gifted to leaders of nations, including U.S. President Harry S. Truman by Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion in 1951, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who lit the candle with Rabbi Abraham Shemtov in Lafayette Park in 1979.
The miracle of Hanukkah is that while Jerusalem was under siege, a group managed to get into the temple and light the menorah. There was only enough oil in the cups to last for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight. During Hanukkah, candles are inserted into the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
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The menorah has nine branches, eight for each night of Hanukkah, and one to light the others
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which means "helper" or "servant". The shamash is used to light the other eight candles.
The Hanukkah menorah is also known as the hanukkiah, a term that originated among Judeo-Spanish-speaking Sephardic communities in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 18th century. In Modern Hebrew, it is generally called a chanukkiyah. The word menorah simply means "lamp" in Hebrew.
The Hanukkah menorah is a variant of the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.
The menorah has been used since the destruction of the Second Temple as a symbol to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of Christians and pagans. It is often depicted on public buildings, synagogues, and private homes.
Hanukkah candle holders come in a variety of designs, both modern and traditional, and are made from materials such as coloured glass, metal, and decorations.
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The shamash, or servant candle, is the ninth candle
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched variant of the traditional menorah, which is closely associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The shamash, or "servant" candle, is the ninth candle on the Hanukkah menorah. It is also known as the "attendant" or "helper" candle and is used to light the other candles. The shamash is set apart from the other eight candles, often at a different height or to the side, to distinguish it from the other candles.
The shamash is lit first, before the prayers are said and the other candles are lit. It is not extinguished after the other candles are lit but remains lit in case it is needed for a utilitarian purpose. This is because it is forbidden to use the Chanukah lights for any practical reason. The shamash is often a different colour from the other candles, although this is not a requirement.
The word "shamash" means "servant" and was not originally associated with Hanukkah. The term first appeared in the Mishnah and Talmud, which date back to around 200 and 500 CE, respectively. The Talmud states that it is prohibited to use a seven-lamp menorah outside of the Temple, so the Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches, plus the ninth shamash candle.
The Hanukkah menorah is used to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple. It is displayed in a highly visible location, and depictions of it are often found on public buildings, synagogues, and private homes. The menorah has become an important symbol of Judaism and is used in religious rituals.
The shamash serves as a lesson to educators and leaders, as it is not a mitzvah candle but enables the other candles to form a mitzvah. It represents the potential for each person to become a teacher and impact the lives of others. The shamash is usually placed above the other candles, reflecting the idea that a person who serves others and shares their knowledge becomes great by helping others to succeed.
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The miracle of Hanukkah is that a small amount of oil miraculously burned for eight days
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that is celebrated by lighting a special nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah. The Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of the miracle of Hanukkah, which is commemorated during the festival.
The miracle of Hanukkah is that while Jerusalem was under siege, a small group managed to get into the temple and light the menorah. There was only enough oil in the cups to last for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days. This miracle is honoured during the festival, with eight of the nine branches of the Hanukkah menorah holding lights (traditionally oil lamps, but today often candles) that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited.
The ninth branch holds a candle, known as the shamash (meaning "helper" or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is set on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles, to distinguish it from the other lights. The Hanukkah menorah is displayed in a highly visible location, often in public buildings, synagogues, and private homes.
The Hanukkah menorah is a popular form of candle holder, with a variety of modern and traditional designs available, including coloured, glass, and metal styles. The candle holders often feature details of Jerusalem and are used as reminders of the holy city and the destruction of the temple.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is the main ritual of the festival and is considered a distinctively Jewish symbol. The menorah has been used since ancient times to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of other faiths.
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The menorah is a symbol of Judaism and is often displayed in synagogues and Jewish homes
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch, called the shamash, used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight branches. The Hanukkah menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art, and is displayed in a highly visible location, often on public buildings, synagogues, and private homes.
The word menorah means "lamp" in Hebrew, and the lamp is modelled after the Temple menorah. The Hanukkah menorah is an imitation of the Tabernacle menorah, with eight receptacles for oil or candles, and a holder for the shamash. The miracle of Hanukkah is that while Jerusalem was under siege, a group managed to get into the temple and light the menorah, with enough oil to last one day, but it miraculously burned for eight.
The use of the menorah as a symbol has a long history. It is depicted on the coins of Antigonus II Mattathias, the last Hasmonean king of Judea, and on the Arch of Titus in Rome (81 CE). The menorah has been used in Jewish art, particularly funerary art, since ancient times, and its use became more common in the late Roman and Byzantine periods. In the Byzantine Rite, the menorah stands on or behind the altar in the sanctuary, and all seven lamps may be lit for services.
Today, menorahs are displayed in a variety of settings. In the US, the National Menorah has been lit in the presence of the White House since 1979, beginning with President Jimmy Carter. In the UK, the House of Commons holds a yearly hanukkiah lighting at the Palace of Westminster.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle holder for Hanukkah is called a Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah.
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, and the ninth branch holds a candle called the
The shamash candle is considered the "servant" candle and is used to kindle the other eight candles. It is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles.
The Hanukkah menorah is an eight-branched imitation of the original Tabernacle menorah, which was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The Tabernacle menorah had seven branches and was said to be revealed to Moses by God, according to the biblical book of Exodus.
