Maddie James
The menorah is a candelabra that is lit during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates an ancient miracle. The miracle in question is that of Judah Maccabee and his band of warriors, who successfully fought back against oppression and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. To rededicate the Temple, they needed to burn oil in a candelabra, or menorah. They only had enough oil for one night, but miraculously, it burned for eight. To commemorate this, the menorah is lit for eight consecutive nights, with the amount of light increasing each night. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the other candles. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside one's door.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 for each night of Hanukkah, plus an extra candle in the middle |
| Placement of candles | From right to left |
| Lighting direction | Left to right |
| Placement of menorah | Window, table near a window, or outside the door |
| Timing | After sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is gathered |
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What You'll Learn
Placement of the shamash candle
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" candle, is placed on the ninth branch of the menorah, separate from the other eight candles. The shamash candle is usually placed at a different height than the other candles, either higher or lower, to distinguish it from the other candles. However, this is not a strict requirement, and the main goal is to ensure the shamash candle is clearly separated from the other candles. This can be achieved by placing it at a different height, to the side, in front of, or behind the other candles.
The shamash candle is typically lit first and used to light the other eight candles on the menorah. It is usually left burning even after it has served its primary function of lighting the other candles. This is because it can be used if a candle blows out, preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights. The shamash candle is often made of beeswax, and it is not considered a mitzvah candle.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash candle and another candle are placed in the menorah. The shamash candle is placed in its designated central spot, and the other candle is placed in the right-most spot. On each subsequent night, another candle is added to the menorah, so that on the final night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit.
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, which has nine branches to accommodate the nine candles. Eight of the branches represent the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth branch holds the shamash candle. The shamash candle is an integral part of the Hanukkah ritual, as it is used to light the other eight candles, one for each night of the holiday.
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Direction of placing the candles
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door. It is usually placed near a window, preferably to the left side of the door. The shamash candle, also known as the helper candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different elevation. It is used to light the other candles and is typically lit first. The shamash candle is placed in its designated spot on the menorah after the other candles have been lit.
The other eight candles are placed in the menorah from right to left and are lit from left to right. On the first night of Hanukkah, the candle for that night is placed in the holder on the far right. On the second night, a new candle is placed in the same spot, and another is placed to its left. This process is repeated each night, with candles placed from right to left. Once all the candles are placed, they are lit using the shamash candle, from left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and 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 menorah should be lit after sunset, except on Fridays when it should be lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins. On Saturdays, the menorah is lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
The menorah is meant to spread light to others, and it is often placed in a window facing the street to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah. This tradition dates back to ancient times, when large outdoor menorahs were erected in towns. Placing the menorah in a window is also a way to proudly announce the freedom to practice Judaism and to share the light of Hanukkah with neighbours.
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Direction of lighting the candles
The lighting of the menorah is a common Hanukkah tradition. The candles are typically lit after sunset, except on Fridays when they are lit before sundown, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside the front door. It should be placed on the left side of the door, on a chair or small table near the doorpost opposite the mezuzah.
The shamash, or "attendant" candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different elevation. It is used to light the other candles and is usually lit first. The shamash is not extinguished and is left adjacent to the other candles, ready to be used if a candle blows out. The blessings are said before the remaining candles are lit, starting with the left-most candle and working from left to right.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle placed in the right-most spot. Each night, another candle is added to the left of the previous night's candle, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The lighting of the menorah commemorates the victory of Jewish rebels over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The candles symbolise the miraculous burning of a small amount of oil for eight nights, giving the Maccabees time to reclaim more oil to rededicate the Temple.
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Placement of the menorah
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table or outside a door. It should be placed on the left side of the door, ideally on a small table or chair. This is to allow the light to spread to others, and it is a way to announce the freedom to practice Judaism and to share the light of Hanukkah with neighbours.
In the home, there are two preferred locations for the menorah. Firstly, it can be set up in a central doorway, on a chair or small table near the doorpost that is opposite the mezuzah. This way, when you pass through the doorway, you are surrounded by two mitzvot—the mezuzah and the menorah. Alternatively, the menorah can be placed in a window, preferably one facing the street. This is in keeping with the Talmud, which states that the miracle of Hanukkah should be publicised. Many Jewish organisations erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns, and some families place their menorahs in windows as an act of defiance and bravery in the face of antisemitism.
The shamash, or "attendant" candle, sits at a different elevation to the other candles, usually in the centre of the menorah. It is used to light the other candles and is usually made of beeswax. The shamash is lit first, and then the other candles are placed and lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, and blessings are said before they are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is the first candle to be lit, and it is then used to light the other candles from left to right. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash is lit last.
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Blessings and procedures
The blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah menorah are steeped in tradition and ritual. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside one's door. It is meant to spread light to others, so it should be placed in a visible spot.
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in the centre or at a different elevation and is used to light the other candles. It is lit first, and then the Hanukkah blessing is recited. The shamash is not extinguished but is placed back in its spot, remaining lit. The shamash candle is available for practical use, preserving the sanctity of the other candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the first candle is placed in the holder on the far right and lit with the shamash. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, and then the candle on the far right is lit again. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. On the final night, all candles, including the shamash, are lit.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. On the first night, three blessings are recited, and then two blessings are said on each subsequent night. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left. The shamash candle, or \"helper\" candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the other candles.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table or outside your door.
The menorah is lit after sundown, when it is dark. On Friday nights, the candles should be lit before sunset when the Sabbath begins. On Saturday nights, the candles are lit after sunset when the Sabbath has ended.
The menorah symbolises the ancient miracle of the reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A small amount of oil burned for eight nights, and the menorah is lit to commemorate this.
