Brooke Martin
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. The word menorah means lamp in Hebrew. The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses to create a lamp with six branches, three on each side. The original menorah burned oil and did not use candles, which were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE. Today, the menorah is most commonly associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, where a nine-branched menorah is lit during the eight-day celebration. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the ancient Temple menorah, which had seven branches. During Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit each night, symbolizing the miraculous burning of oil for eight days in the ancient Temple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of branches | 7 or 9 |
| Number of candles | 8 or 9 |
| Type of candles | Candles or oil lamps |
| Candle colour | Blue and white |
| Location | Central doorway, windowsill, shelf on the outside of the house, public buildings, synagogues, private homes |
| Height | Windowsill option only if the window is less than 30 feet above ground level |
| Surface | Sturdy, fireproof and out of the reach of children |
| Surrounding objects | No flammable materials nearby |
| Lighting time | Dusk, before sunset when the Sabbath begins, after sunset when the Sabbath ends |
| Duration | At least 30 minutes |
| Direction | Candles are inserted from right to left but are lit from left to right |
| Number of blessings | Three on the first night and two on each of the remaining nights |
| Shamash location | On a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles or oil lamps |
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What You'll Learn
- The shamash candle is lit first and used to light the others
- The menorah is placed in a highly visible location, such as a window
- The candles are lit at dusk, except on Fridays when it's before sunset
- The menorah is lit for eight nights, adding a candle each night
- The menorah is lit by all household members, including children
The shamash candle is lit first and used to light the others
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant", is lit first and used to light the other eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other candles. The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight of the nine branches holding lights that symbolize the eight nights of the Hanukkah holiday. Each night, an additional candle is lit, starting from the leftmost branch and moving towards the right, until the final night when all eight branches are lit.
The Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of light and is often displayed in a highly visible location, such as a windowsill or shelf on the outside of the house, to shine a light through the darkness and signify that the home is Jewish. The menorah is typically lit at dusk, symbolizing the distinction between darkness and light. On Fridays, however, the menorah is lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins, and on Saturdays, it is lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
The tradition of lighting the menorah dates back to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, where a seven-branched menorah was used. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates this original menorah but is distinct in that it has nine branches. The lighting of the menorah celebrates an ancient miracle: when Judah Maccabee and his warriors successfully fought against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They found only enough oil for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight nights.
The shamash candle plays a crucial role in the lighting of the menorah, as it is used to kindle the other eight candles. It is placed in a higher or lower position than the main candles to distinguish it from the others. The shamash candle is not extinguished after the other candles are lit; instead, it is left adjacent to the other lights, ready to "serve" if a candle blows out or if a flame is needed for a practical reason. This way, the sanctity of the mitzvah lights is preserved.
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The menorah is placed in a highly visible location, such as a window
The 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, and the ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. The menorah is placed in a highly visible location, such as a window, to shine a light through the darkness during the shorter days of the year. It is also displayed in public buildings, synagogues, and private homes.
The menorah is often placed on a windowsill facing the street, but it should only be placed there if the window is less than thirty feet above ground level. It is important to ensure that the menorah is on a sturdy, fireproof surface that is out of the reach of children and not near any flammable materials. The menorah must contain enough fuel to burn for at least thirty minutes after nightfall.
The menorah is lit during Hanukkah to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple. According to the story, the Maccabees found only enough oil to last for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight nights. Each night during Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, starting from the left-most candle and moving from left to right. By the final night, all eight branches are ignited.
The menorah is a symbol of Judaism and has been featured in various works of art and literature. It is also displayed in public during Hanukkah celebrations, with elected officials often participating in the lighting ceremonies. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement is well-known for its public lighting ceremonies, which have been a tradition since 1987.
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The candles are lit at dusk, except on Fridays when it's before sunset
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. It has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The word menorah means "lamp" in Hebrew. The menorah was first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, where its design was revealed to Moses by God. It was to be forged out of a single piece of gold with six branches, three on each side.
The menorah candles are usually lit at dusk. However, on Fridays, the candles are lit before sunset to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest and prayer in Judaism, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday night. The menorah candles are lit to symbolise the distinction between darkness and light. The custom of many communities is to light the menorah shortly after sunset, while in other communities, the menorah is kindled after nightfall, approximately 30 minutes after sunset. The candles must contain enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, 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. On each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
The menorah is typically placed in a central location, such as a windowsill facing the street or a doorway. It is important to ensure that the menorah is on a sturdy, fireproof surface that is out of the reach of children and not near flammable materials. The lighting of the menorah is a festive occasion, with all members of the household, including children, participating by lighting their own menorahs.
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The menorah is lit for eight nights, adding a candle each night
The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, also known as a hanukkiah, that is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The lighting of the menorah is a widely recognised Hanukkah tradition, with the candelabras often displayed in windows, shining a light through the darkness. The menorah is also displayed in public buildings, synagogues, and private homes.
The nine branches of the menorah hold eight candles, or oil lamps, and a ninth 'helper' candle, called the shamash. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles and is placed on a higher or lower plane than the main eight candles. The shamash remains lit, even after the other candles have been lit, and is placed adjacent to the other lights, ready to 'serve' if a candle blows out.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the first candle is lit, and on each subsequent night, another candle is lit, so that on the final night, all eight candles are burning. The candles are added from right to left but are lit from left to right. The custom is to light the menorah shortly after sunset, or after nightfall, and the candles must contain enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes.
The menorah symbolises the ancient miracle of the oil that was found in the temple. When Judah Maccabee and his warriors reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they found only a tiny amount of oil—enough for just one night—but miraculously, it burned for eight nights.
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The menorah is lit by all household members, including children
The menorah is a sacred symbol in Judaism. 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 Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The lighting of the menorah is a common Hanukkah tradition. The miracle of the oil is honoured by lighting the menorah, commemorating when Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors successfully fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The menorah is traditionally lit by all members of the household, including children. It is important for everyone to be present and involved when the Chanukah miracle is festively commemorated. The shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first and used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The menorah is usually lit at dusk, but on Fridays, it is lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins, and on Saturdays, it is lit after sunset when the Sabbath ends. The candles must be allowed to burn for at least 30 minutes.
There are two preferred locations for the menorah in the home. It can be set up in a central doorway, on a chair or small table near the doorpost opposite the mezuzah. Alternatively, it can be placed on a windowsill facing the street, but only if the window is less than 30 feet above ground level. The menorah must be placed on a sturdy, fireproof surface, out of the reach of children and away from flammable materials.
If you are travelling, you can set up your menorah wherever you are staying for the night. If you are spending the night in a Jewish home, you can contribute a dollar or so towards the menorah expenses, or you can light your own menorah. Students in dormitories or apartments should light menorahs in their rooms or in a communal dining area.
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Frequently asked questions
The menorah has one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight nights. There will be an extra candle in the middle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other candles. The shamash is placed first, and then the candle for the first night is placed in the holder on the far right. Each night, another candle is added from right to left, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The shamash candle is lit first, and then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. The most recent candle gets the light first. The candles are typically lit just after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited, and then two on every night thereafter. One blessing is: "Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion."
