Brooke Martin
The menorah is a distinctive symbol of Judaism, with its roots in the biblical book of Exodus, where its design is revealed to Moses by God. The ancient menorah had seven branches, but the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles: one for each of the eight days of Hanukkah and a ninth candle, known as the shamash, to light the others. The shamash is typically placed in the middle of the menorah, either higher or lower than the other eight candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Shamash |
| Meaning | "Attendant" or "Servant" |
| Position | Set apart from the other candles, often higher or lower |
| Function | Used to kindle the other lights |
| Usage | Left lit and not extinguished |
| Composition | Beeswax |
| Symbolism | A lesson to educators and leaders |
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What You'll Learn
The Shamash, or 'attendant' candle
The Shamash, or attendant candle, is the ninth candle on a menorah, set apart from the other eight candles, often higher or lower than them. The Shamash is used to kindle the other eight lights. The word Shamash means "servant" in Hebrew, and it is not a mitzvah candle. However, it is important as it enables the other candles to form a mitzvah. The Shamash is typically left lit after the other candles have been lit, so it can be used to relight them if they blow out. This is because it is forbidden to use the Chanukah lights for any practical reason.
The menorah is a symbol of Judaism, with the Hanukkah menorah having nine candles: one for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and the Shamash to light the others. The original menorah is said to have been designed by God and revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, according to the biblical book of Exodus. It was to be made of a single piece of gold with six branches, three on each side. The central shaft was somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath.
The menorah has been used throughout history, with examples found in ancient art and architecture. It was a symbol of Samaritan identity during the Byzantine and Islamic periods and was used to decorate synagogues and Jewish homes. Today, the menorah is often placed in a window during Hanukkah, shining a light through the darkness at a time of year when the days are short.
The Shamash candle represents the idea that we all have the potential to serve and impact the lives of others. Just as the Shamash candle is placed above the others, a teacher uses their superior skills to elevate their students.
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The history of the menorah
The menorah is a multibranched candelabra used in the religious rituals of Judaism. The word menorah means "lamp" in Hebrew. The ancient menorah had seven branches—one for each day of Creation—and burned oil in the Temple in Judea. It was an everlasting light that was never supposed to go out.
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. According to the Bible, 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. Rabbinic sources teach that the menorah stood approximately 1.62 metres (5.3 ft) high. The branches are often depicted as semicircular, but some scholars held that they were straight.
The menorah became a popular symbol of Judaism and was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures, and reliefs, as well as glass and metal objects. It has been used to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of Christians and pagans. The menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. However, it is still used in Jewish rituals today, particularly during Hanukkah.
The Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches, plus a ninth lamp set apart as the shamash ("servant") light, which is used to kindle the other lights. The shamash is usually placed above the other candles and is often made of beeswax. The Hanukkah menorah is more accurately called a hanukkiyah. One additional oil wick or candle is lit each night to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah.
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The significance of the menorah
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 Hebrew word "menorah" means "lamp". The ancient menorah burned oil and was never supposed to go out. It is said to have had one branch for each day of Creation.
The menorah has long been a symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people. It became the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948. The symbol of the menorah appears in archaeological findings and ancient buildings in Israel, as well as in Jewish art, funerary art, and synagogues.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiyah, has nine candles: one for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and a ninth candle, called the shamash, to light the others. The shamash is placed apart from the other candles, often higher or lower. The Talmud states that it is prohibited to use a seven-lamp menorah outside of the Temple, which is why the Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches plus the ninth shamash candle.
The lighting of the menorah is said to celebrate the miracle of people looking after one another and doing what is right. In Jewish tradition, the menorah is also reminiscent of the Tree of Life from the creation story, which is equated with eternal life.
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The miracle of the ner hama'aravi
The middle candle on a menorah is called the Shamash, which translates to "attendant" or "servant". It is used to light the other candles and is usually set apart from them, often on a higher or lower branch.
Now, onto the miracle of the ner hamaaravi, also known as the "Western Lamp".
The ner hamaaravi is the central flame of the menorah, a seven-lamp candelabra that stood in the Sanctuary and represented the Holy Temple as a source of light for the world. The miracle of the ner hamaaravi refers to the belief that this central flame burned longer than the others, often still burning when the kohen (priest) came to light the menorah the next day. It was also the source of light for the other lamps, which were lit from the ner hamaaravi. According to the Talmud, this miracle was interpreted as a sign that the Shechinah (divine presence) rested among Israel.
The ner hamaaravi was unique in that it contained the same amount of oil as the other lamps, yet miraculously burned longer. This was seen as a divine occurrence, and it held significant meaning for the Jewish people. The lamp was also referred to as the ner Elohim, or "lamp of God," mentioned in I Samuel 3:3.
The miracle of the ner hamaaravi is also connected to the story of Hanukkah. After the Jewish people rebelled against Antiochus IV, who had outlawed Judaism, they took back the Temple and relit the menorah. According to tradition, one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the Hanukkah menorah has nine candles: eight for each day, and the ninth, the Shamash, to light the others.
The ner hamaaravi symbolises the enduring nature of faith and the divine presence that sustains and illuminates even in challenging times. It serves as a reminder of the miracles that are believed to have occurred in Jewish history and the strength that comes from unity and mutual support, as represented by the lamps of the menorah.
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The use of the menorah in Jewish art
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. It has served as a symbol representing the Jews and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. The menorah is frequently used as a symbol in Jewish art.
The use of the menorah as an artistic decoration during the Second Temple period and up to the Bar Kokhba revolt is quite rare. However, examples of its use in art have been uncovered in burial caves near Mukhmas (ancient Michmas), in the Herodian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, and in Magdala (on the Magdala Stone). The use of menorahs in Jewish art, particularly in Jewish funerary art, became much more common in the late Roman and Byzantine periods.
The menorah was a distinctive symbol of Samaritan identity during the Byzantine and Islamic periods. Repurposed stone menorah reliefs, some with accompanying plant decorations, have been found in contemporary structures in several villages of ancient Samaria. Synagogues have a continually lit lamp or light in front of the Torah ark, where the Torah scroll is kept, called the ner tamid (eternal light). This lamp represents the continually lit ner Elohim of the menorah used in Temple times.
Many synagogues display either a menorah or an artistic representation of a menorah. A menorah appears in the Emblem of Israel, based on the depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus. The Temple Institute has created a life-sized menorah, designed by goldsmith Chaim Odem, intended for use in a future Third Temple.
The Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches, plus the raised ninth lamp set apart as the shamash (servant) light, which is used to kindle the other lights. The shamash is usually placed above the other candles, and it is often depicted in the middle of the menorah.
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Frequently asked questions
The middle candle on a menorah is called the Shamash, which means "servant" in Hebrew.
The Shamash candle is placed in the middle of the menorah to be set apart from the other eight candles. It is also usually placed higher or lower than the other candles.
The Shamash candle is used to kindle the other eight candles on the menorah. It is also used in case one of the other candles blows out.
The Shamash candle first became associated with Hanukkah in the 16th century, although the word itself first appeared in the Mishnah (c. 200 CE) and Talmud (c. 500 CE).
