Tyler Brooks
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The correct term for the Hanukkah candelabra is chanukiah, but the terms have become interchangeable. The shamash, or helper candle, is lit first and is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah and is usually lit with a match, lighter, or another flame source. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the candle lit first | Shamash or "helper" candle |
| Position of the Shamash candle | Center or raised |
| Position of the first night's candle | Right-most spot |
| Direction of placing candles | Right to left |
| Direction of lighting candles | Left to right |
| Time of lighting the candles | After sundown or just after dark |
| Day of lighting the candles | Each night of Hanukkah |
| Number of candles lit on the first night | Two |
| Number of candles lit on the eighth night | Nine |
| Number of candles required to complete the ritual | 44 |
| Number of candles in a standard box | 45 |
| Exception to the time of lighting the candles | On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat |
| Exception to the type of candle used for lighting | In Sephardi communities, an extra candle—not part of the menorah—is used to light the candles that represent the nights |
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What You'll Learn
The Shamash candle is lit first
The Shamash candle, also known as the "helper" candle, is lit first on the Menorah. This candle is placed in the centre of the Menorah and is used to light the other eight candles. The Shamash is lit first and then used to light the other candles from left to right.
The Shamash is lit just after dark on each night of Hanukkah. The first night of Hanukkah sees only two candles placed in the Menorah: the Shamash and another candle to the far right. Each night, another candle is added, so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the Shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and the Shamash is lit last.
The lighting of the Menorah commemorates the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the Menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem.
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The Shamash is used to light the other candles
The Shamash, or "helper" candle, is the first candle lit during the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony. It is placed in the centre of the menorah and is used to light the other eight candles. The Shamash is lit first, and then the blessing is recited before the remaining candles are lit. The Shamash is placed back in its spot, leaving it lit, and then the candle for the first night is lit, placed in the rightmost spot. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, and then the far right candle is lit again, with the Shamash being replaced each time. This pattern is repeated for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all nine candles, including the Shamash, are lit.
The Shamash plays a crucial role in the Hanukkah celebration, as it symbolises the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. This miracle is commemorated by the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, which is distinct from the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple.
The lighting of the menorah is a highly anticipated event, with many families waiting until everyone is home together to light the candles. It is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door, ensuring it is away from active children and flammable materials. The menorah is meant to spread light to others, and its lighting is accompanied by the reciting of blessings and the sharing of stories and games with family.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, reflecting the direction in which Hebrew is written. However, the candles are lit from left to right. The blessings are an integral part of the ceremony, with three blessings recited on the first night and two on each subsequent night. These blessings give praise to God and acknowledge the significance of the Hanukkah lights.
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Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until on the final night, all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
The shamash candle is lit first and is placed in the centre of the menorah or in a raised position. The shamash is lit using a match, lighter, or another flame source. It is important to light the shamash first, as it is used to light the other candles. The blessings are said before the remaining candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one.
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.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, just as Hebrew is written from right to left. However, the candles are lit from left to right. On the eighth night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit. To complete the ritual on all eight nights with one menorah, 44 candles are needed in total.
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Candles are lit from left to right
The Hanukkah menorah 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 symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash, or "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the first night's candle, which is placed in the right-most spot. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. Each night, another candle is added from right to left, so that on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit. The candles are lit from left to right. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one.
In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last, and the extra candle is blown out. The menorah should be lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, since Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, there will be at least one overlap with Shabbat, when it is forbidden to light a fire according to Jewish law. Therefore, on Friday evening, the menorah is lit before sundown, and on Saturday night, the candles are lit after sundown when Shabbat has ended.
The Hanukkah menorah commemorates the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem.
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Blessings are said before the candles are lit
The menorah is a candelabra used to commemorate the miracle of the oil during the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks. The miracle of the oil refers to the legend that there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
The menorah is lit during Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory. The candles are typically lit at sundown, but there are differing customs regarding the exact timing. Some light at sunset, while others light about ten minutes or half an hour after sunset, or even after the evening service is recited.
The menorah should be lit before the Shabbat candles on Friday evening while it is still light out. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after the sun goes down and Shabbat has ended. However, there are differing opinions on whether the menorah should be lit before or after the havdalah rituals are completed.
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. ("Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.")
- Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh. ("Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.")
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh ("Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.")
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle, or the "helper" candle, is lit first and used to light the other candles from left to right. The shamash is typically placed in the centre of the menorah. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the other candles, and the shamash is lit last.
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