Tyler Brooks
The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The eight candles or oil lamps symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, with one more light lit each 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 menorah is typically lit at sundown, but if one is unable to light it at night, they can do so earlier—from plag hamincha, which is an hour and a quarter before the stars appear. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, which is traditionally 18 minutes before sundown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of day | Immediately after the stars appear at night |
| Time range | If one cannot light at night, it can be done an hour and a quarter before the stars appear, or later |
| Minimum duration | Candles must burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to 1.5 hours on Friday evenings |
| Lighting order | Right to left, but lit left to right |
| First night | Place a candle in the holder on the far right, light it with the shamash, then put the shamash back in its spot |
| Second night | Light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash |
| Subsequent nights | Repeat the pattern, always lighting the newest candle first |
| Eighth night | All candles are lit, starting from the far left |
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What You'll Learn
The menorah is lit at sundown or after nightfall
The menorah is lit at different times depending on the day of the week. From Sunday to Thursday, the candles are lit after nightfall. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to mark the beginning of Shabbat, during which work is forbidden. On Saturdays, the menorah is lit after Shabbat ends at nightfall.
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 that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle 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 blessings are recited first, and then the candles are lit. The shamash is placed in the holder on the far right and lit first, before being returned to its spot while still lit. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, followed by the far-right candle. This pattern is repeated for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, all the candles are lit, starting from the far left.
The time to light the Chanukah candles is immediately after the stars appear. If one is unable to light the candles at night, they can do so earlier, from "plag hamincha", which is an hour and a quarter before the stars appear. However, one must put enough oil in the menorah to enable the candles to burn for at least half an hour after the stars appear. If the lights do not burn for this duration, the mitzvah has not been fulfilled.
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An oil menorah is preferable to a candle one
The lighting of the menorah is a significant tradition in Judaism, and the use of oil or candles is a debated topic. The Chanukah menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah, is traditionally lit at sundown or around nightfall each of the eight nights of Chanukah. The miracle of Chanukah, or Hanukkah, is closely associated with olive oil, making an oil menorah preferable to a candle one.
The story of the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks is central to the tradition of lighting the menorah. After reclaiming the Holy Temple, it is said that there was only enough pure olive oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. Thus, the use of olive oil in the menorah commemorates this miracle. Cotton wicks are often used with olive oil as they produce a smooth flame.
While some synagogues use beeswax candles, the preference for olive oil is rooted in the significance of the miracle. The use of olive oil is seen as a way to express appreciation to God and to commemorate the original menorah in the Holy Temple. Additionally, olive oil is considered ideal as it results in a pure and clear light.
The type of menorah used can vary depending on the setting. In synagogues, beeswax candles are often used because they can burn throughout the day without diminishing the quality of the flame. On the other hand, in homes, oil menorahs are preferred as they only need to be lit for a specific duration, and there is no custom for them to burn during the day.
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred tradition, and individuals are encouraged to beautify the mitzvah by purchasing the most beautiful menorah within their means. This act symbolises appreciation for God and the commandments. Additionally, the arrangement of the candles is important, with the eight candles placed in a straight, even line, rather than a zigzag pattern.
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The candles are lit right to left, but left to right
The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, is celebrated with a menorah, a candelabra with eight candle holders and a ninth spot for the shamash, or "helper candle". The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the other candles. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but lit from left to right.
On the first night of Hanukkah, a candle is placed in the holder on the far right of the menorah, and lit with the shamash. The shamash is then returned to its spot, leaving it lit. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, followed by the candle on the far right, and the shamash is replaced. This pattern is repeated each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all the candles are lit, starting from the far left.
The menorah is typically lit at sundown, but there are some variations. For example, on Friday evening, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, while it is still light out. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sundown, when Shabbat has ended.
The lighting of the menorah commemorates the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks. After the victory, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
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The shamash candle is used to light the others
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" or "servant", is the ninth candle on the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, which is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The shamash candle is set apart from the other eight candles, which represent the eight nights of the holiday, and is used to light them.
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight of the nine branches holding candles or oil lamps. On each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The shamash candle is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles, to differentiate it and signify its role as the helper candle.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of the oil after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks. According to Jewish tradition, after this victory, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
The Hanukkah menorah is typically lit at sundown on each night of the holiday. The shamash candle is lit first and then used to light the other candles, moving from right to left. On the first night, the shamash is used to light the candle on the far right, and it is placed back in its spot, leaving it lit. On the second night, the shamash lights the candle second from the right, and then the candle on the far right is lit, and so on. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all the candles, including the shamash, will be lit.
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The menorah should burn for at least 30 minutes
The menorah is a candelabra with eight branches that is lit on the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. The tradition commemorates the miracle of Chanukah, when there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but the oil miraculously burned for eight days.
The menorah is typically lit shortly after sunset, or thirty minutes after sunset when the stars come out. The candles should be large enough to burn for at least thirty minutes, and the standard Chanukah candles last for this amount of time. The menorah must contain enough fuel to burn for half an hour after nightfall, and it is permissible to move the menorah after it has been lit for at least thirty minutes.
On Friday, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday, it is lit after nightfall. The Friday night Chanukah lights must remain lit for thirty minutes after nightfall, which is approximately one and a half hours after the Friday afternoon lighting time. Therefore, additional oil or larger candles are required for the Friday night lights to burn for the necessary duration. The standard thirty-minute Chanukah candles cannot be used on Friday night.
The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line, with each flame distinct to the onlooker. The shamash, or "attendant" candle, sits higher or lower than the other candles and is used to kindle the other lights.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to light the menorah candles is immediately after the stars appear. If you are unable to light the candles at night, you can light them earlier—from "plag hamincha", which is an hour and a quarter before the stars appear.
The menorah candles should burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to one and a half hours on Friday evenings.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit. On each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit, until on the final night, all eight candles are lit.
Lighting the menorah candles commemorates the miracle of the oil after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks. There was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but it miraculously burned for eight days.
An oil menorah is preferable to a candle one, as the miracle of Chanukah involved olive oil. Cotton wicks are preferred for the smooth flame they produce.
