Chloe Adams
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that is described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah is also a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize 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 called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed higher or lower than the other eight candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | Eight candles in a row and one helper candle |
| Name of the helper candle | Shamash |
| Meaning of the helper candle | "Helper" or "Servant" |
| Placement of the helper candle | Set apart from the other candles, usually above or below |
| Usage of the helper candle | Used to light the other eight candles |
| Usage of the menorah | To bring the holiness of the ancient Temple into homes |
| Positioning of the menorah | On a windowsill or a shelf on the outside of the house |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash is the ninth candle
The shamash is not a mitzvah candle, but it is important as it enables the other candles to be lit and form a mitzvah. It is left burning in case it is needed to light a candle that has blown out, preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights.
The shamash also serves as a lesson to educators and leaders. Just as the shamash helps to light the other candles, a teacher uses their skills to help others. The shamash teaches us that we all have the potential to serve others and make a positive impact on their lives.
The Hanukkah menorah is also known as a hanukkiah or chanukkiyah. It is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles representing the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth shamash candle to light the others. The menorah is lit each night of the holiday, with one more candle lit than the previous night, until all eight branches are lit on the final night.
The tradition of the menorah dates back to the story of Exodus, when God commanded the Israelites to light the menorah. The original menorah was made for the Tabernacle and was present until the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. The menorah has been a symbol of the Jews and Judaism since ancient times and is the official emblem of the State of Israel.
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The menorah's eight candles
The menorah is a candelabrum that holds a great deal of significance in Jewish culture and history. The word "menorah" is derived from the Hebrew word for "lamp", and the original menorah was a seven-branched candelabrum that burned oil. This ancient menorah is said to have been present in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient sources. Over time, the menorah has become a symbol of the Jewish faith and the State of Israel, featuring in Jewish art and ceremonial practices.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah or chanukkiyah, is a nine-branched candelabrum that is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or "helper" candle. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles, and it is placed on a different level to distinguish it from the other lights.
On each night of Hanukkah, an additional light is kindled, starting with the shamash on the first night. By the eighth and final night, all nine candles are burning, with the shamash illuminating the other eight Chanukah lights. The lighting of the menorah symbolises the miracle of a small group of Jews known as the Maccabees, who reclaimed the Temple and relit the menorah after it had been desecrated by the ruler Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for all eight days of Hanukkah.
The menorah serves as a reminder of the Jewish people's resilience and their commitment to faith and family. It is often placed on a windowsill during Hanukkah, shining a light through the darkness and bringing the holiness of the ancient Temple into Jewish homes. The lighting of the menorah is a sacred tradition that has been adapted and celebrated in various ways, from the White House Hanukkah Party hosted by US presidents to the Interactive Menorah on the New York Times website.
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The miracle of the oil
According to the Hebrew Bible, the Temple's menorah could only be lit with pure olive oil. During the Maccabean Revolt, a small quantity of oil, expected to last for just one day, miraculously burned for eight days. This miracle holds both practical and spiritual significance for the Jewish people.
The practical significance lies in the fact that it took eight days to produce a new batch of pure olive oil. By the time a new batch was ready, the miracle of the oil had already occurred, ensuring that the Temple's menorah remained lit during this period. Traditionally, the menorah was kept burning throughout the night, with priests ensuring that all seven lamps were lit during the day and a single lamp burned continuously from evening to morning.
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The history of the menorah
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. The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It is described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus, according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The menorah was made out of pure gold, and the only source of fuel that was allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil.
The menorah traces its origins to the second century B.C.E. and has been a symbol of the Jews and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora since ancient times. It became the official emblem of the State of Israel when it was founded in 1948. The menorah is also frequently used as a symbol in Jewish art. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, the menorah came to be recognised as a distinctively Jewish symbol and was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs.
The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle, and its cups in the shape of flower blossoms suggested the tree of life. The Temple of Solomon is said to have had 10 golden candelabras, five on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary. 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. According to Josephus, the menorah was displayed during the Roman triumphal march, but the menorah displayed on the Arch of Titus is no longer thought to be the Temple candelabra.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", 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 as a symbol
The menorah is a symbol with a rich history and significance in Judaism. The word "menorah" comes from the Hebrew word for "lamp", and it is a seven-branched candelabrum that holds a deep religious and cultural meaning for Jews worldwide. The menorah has been a symbol of the Jews and Judaism since ancient times, both in the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. It became the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948.
The menorah's origins are rooted in the Hebrew Bible, where God commands the Israelites to make and light the original seven-branched menorah during their exodus from Egypt. This seven-branched design is believed to represent the seven days of creation. The menorah was to be made of pure gold and fuelled by fresh olive oil. The light of the menorah symbolises an eternal flame and represents the nation of Israel and its mission to be "a light unto the nations".
The menorah is also associated with the story of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. After the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism, a group of rebels known as the Maccabees fought back and eventually relit the menorah. According to the story, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, has nine candles: eight candles for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and a ninth "helper" or "servant" candle called the shamash, which is used to light the others.
The lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah is a sacred tradition in Judaism. Each night of the eight-day holiday, a new candle or wick is lit, with the shamash used to kindle the other lights. The menorah is often placed on a windowsill, shining a light through the darkness during the shorter days of the year. The menorah has also been adopted as a symbol of light and hope more broadly, with non-Jewish groups adopting similar rituals, such as the Buddhist's day of enlightenment, Bodhi Day, and the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.
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Frequently asked questions
A menorah is a candelabrum with seven branches that is lit during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The word menorah means "lamp" in Hebrew.
The shamash is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah. It is known as the "helper" or "servant" candle and is used to light the other eight candles.
The nine candles on a Hanukkah menorah represent the eight days of Hanukkah, with one candle lit on each night, and the ninth candle used to light the others. The ninth candle also commemorates the miracle of one day's worth of oil lasting for eight days.
The menorah is an ancient symbol of the Jewish faith, dating back to the second century B.C.E. According to the Hebrew Bible, God commanded the Israelites to make the original seven-branched menorah as they travelled through the wilderness after leaving slavery in Egypt. The menorah has been used as a symbol of the nation of Israel and its mission to be "a light unto the nations."
