The Menorah – A Nine-Candle Menorah

When Jews think of the menorah (m-nr’), they usually picture the seven-branched candelabrum mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and used daily in both the Tabernacle and the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But there is another type of menorah, a nine-candle version called the chanukiyah that is used to light the Hanukkah candles.

A chanukkiyah has six curved branches and a seventh set off from the others, and usually holds room for nine candles plus one “shammash” (helper candle). Some have 10, though that is not as common. The shammash is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles each night. The shammash must be at a different height from the other candles, so that it can easily be distinguished from them.

The shammash is lit with a pure, kosher oil, which can be purchased from many retailers that sell Judaism-related items. Some communities also organize shammash-making parties where members gather to prepare the candles, as well as the special oil for lighting them.

Although the menorah is a central symbol for Hanukkah, it is important to note that the festival celebrates much more than a miracle of oil. It is a holiday that reminds us to cherish our independence, to stand up for what we believe in, and to share our joy with the people around us. The sages of the Talmud encouraged us to publicize our Hanukkah celebration by inviting neighbors to join in, and today we still take this advice.