Jessie Taylor
The Jewish candle is an important symbol in Judaism and has been for thousands of years. The menorah, a multibranched candelabra, is used in religious rituals and is a popular motif of Jewish art. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is centred around the ritual of lighting the menorah. The menorah that Jews light on Hanukkah has nine branches, with one candle for each of the eight nights of the festival and an extra helper candle, called the shamash, used to light the others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkiah, or Hanukkah |
| Other names | Chanukkiyah, Menorah, Multibranched candelabra |
| Number of branches | 9 |
| Number of candles | 9 |
| Use | Lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah |
| Candle type | Wax, soy, olive oil |
| Candle colour | Any colour, but blue and white are common |
| Candle arrangement | Eight candles at the same height, one candle at a different height |
| Lighting order | One candle lit on the first night, two on the second night, and so on |
| Lighting direction | Candles are lit from left to right |
| Placement | The ninth candle is placed at a higher or lower plane than the other eight |
| Lighting time | Ideally at nightfall, defined as when three stars appear |
| Symbolism | Commemorates the miracle of oil lasting for eight days in the Temple in Jerusalem |
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What You'll Learn
The Hanukkah menorah
Hanukkah menorahs can be made from any nonflammable material and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are sold in Judaica stores and online. Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but blue and white are common, as they are colours associated with Judaism and Israel. They can be purchased from major retailers, Judaica shops, or online, and any candle can be used as long as it burns for 30 minutes and is equal in size to the others.
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The shamash candle
The shamash is typically placed in the center or on an elevated position on the menorah, distinguishing it from the other candles. It serves as a reminder of the role of light in Jewish tradition, symbolizing God's presence and the divine light that illuminates the world. The shamash is lit first, representing the idea that one must first bring light to oneself before illuminating the world around them.
On each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, moving from right to left, with the shamash being used to light all the other candles. The shamash is lit first every night, and its flame is used to kindle the new candle for that evening. This ritual symbolizes the increasing light and hope that builds over the festival, culminating in a fully illuminated menorah on the final night.
The lighting of the shamash and the subsequent kindling of the menorah candles is often accompanied by blessings and traditional songs. Families and communities gather to celebrate, enjoying special foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and exchanging gifts. The shamash, with its unique role, reminds those gathered of the deeper meaning of the festival, encouraging reflection on the themes of faith, perseverance, and the triumph of light over darkness.
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Hanukkah candle colours
Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights, signifying the ritual of lighting the menorah at the centre of the holiday. The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day celebration, with eight branches holding candles or oil lamps, and the ninth branch holding the shamash, or "helper" candle, used to light the others.
There is no specific colour requirement for Hanukkah candles, and they can be any colour. Some people choose to use blue and white candles, as these colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. Other colours used include red, gold, silver, green, and yellow, and some people use multicoloured candles. The colours blue, white, silver, and gold each tell a special story, closely linked to the cultural meaning of colours in Judaism.
There is a principle in Judaism called hiddur mitzvah, which is the idea of making the ritual obligation beautiful. Pretty candles are one way to achieve this. The candles don't have to be placed in a menorah, but they should be in a straight line. In a pinch, any candle can be used, as long as it burns for 30 minutes and is equal in size to the others.
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The history of the menorah
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabra or candleholder that is one of the most enduring symbols of Judaism. Its history can be traced back to ancient times, and it continues to be a significant part of Jewish religious practice and culture today.
According to the Torah, the menorah played a central role in the rituals of the portable sanctuary, or Tabernacle, that the Israelites carried with them during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle served as a precursor to the permanent Temple in Jerusalem, where the menorah would also be used. The design of the menorah is specified in great detail in the Book of Exodus in the Torah: it was to be made of hammered gold, with six branches emerging from a central shaft, three from each side, each holding a lamp, with an additional lamp in the center.
The menorah is believed to have been crafted by Bezalel, a skilled artisan appointed by Moses to create the furnishings and vessels for the Tabernacle. Along with other ritual objects, the menorah was later moved to the First Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century BCE, and then to the Second Temple, constructed in the 6th century BCE after the Babylonian exile. It was in the Second Temple that the menorah became especially associated with the miracle of the oil that is commemorated during the holiday of Hanukkah. According to the Talmud, when the Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebels, rededicated the Temple after its desecration by the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus Epiphanes, they found only enough ritually pure oil to fuel the menorah's lamps for one day, yet the oil miraculously lasted for eight days.
During the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, which culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple, it is said that the golden menorah was carried off to Rome as a spoil of war. Representations of the menorah, such as the famous Arch of Titus in Rome, depict it as having straight branches with knobs or cups to hold the lamps. This differs from the menorah described in the Torah, which had curved branches. Over time, the menorah became a symbol of Judaism itself, and later, of the Jewish people's aspiration for freedom and religious tolerance.
Today, the menorah remains a central ritual object in Jewish religious practice. During the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, a nine-branched version called a hanukkiah is lit to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Each night, an additional candle is lit, progressing from right to left, with the new candle being used to kindle the next one. The hanukkiah is often placed near a window or doorway to publicize the miracle and is traditionally lit after sunset. The menorah also continues to hold symbolic importance, often appearing in Jewish art and architecture and serving as a reminder of the enduring spirit and faith of the Jewish people.
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Hanukkah candle lighting rituals
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, with the ritual of lighting the menorah at its centre. The menorah is a multibranched candelabra that has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. The menorah that Jews light on Hanukkah has nine branches—one for each of the eight days of the holiday, plus an extra "helper" candle, known as the shamash. The shamash is placed in a different spot from the other eight candles, usually in the centre, and is used to light them. The shamash is lit first, followed by the other candles, which are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle to mark the first night. On the second night, the shamash is used to light two candles, and so on, until all eight candles are lit on the eighth and final night. This ritual commemorates the miracle of Hanukkah, and many Jewish organisations erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns. Some people also place their menorahs in a window facing the street, as an act of defiance in moments when antisemitism has endangered Jewish lives.
Before lighting the candles, it is traditional to recite three blessings on the first night and then two blessings on every night thereafter. The candles are ideally lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. However, there are adjustments to the candle-lighting ritual on Friday and Saturday nights, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law. On Friday evening, the menorah should be lit before the Shabbat candles, while it is still light out. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sunset, once Shabbat has ended.
Hanukkah candles can be any colour, but some people prefer to buy blue and white candles, as these colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. The candles can be made of wax, soy, or even oil, which is used by traditionalists to replicate the sacred oil used to light the menorah in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jewish candle is called 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 Hanukkah menorah is called the Hanukkiah or Hanukkah menorah. It is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah candles don't have a special name. It's fine to refer to them as Hanukkah candles. If you'd like to talk about them in Hebrew, you can call them nerot, which is the Hebrew word for candles.
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant", is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah. It is used to light the other eight candles.
