Why do some menorahs have 7 candles and some have 9? The 7 branch menorah is a representation of the seven-branched lamp which was in the Temple. The 9 branch menorah is properly called a hanukiah, as it is designed specifically to be used at Hanukah, to light the eight candles for the eight days of the holiday. Click to see full answer.
Why do some menorahs have only 7 branches?
There is a common mistake many gentiles make concerning the MENORAH. Contrary to popular assumption, the 7-branched MENORAH is NEVER lighted in an observant Jewish household. Keep in mind that a 7-branched MENORAH is a special implement ONLY to be used in the Temple. However, the Temple hasn’t existed for over 1900 years.
What does the Menorah really symbolize?
The Menorah is also believed to be a symbol of the spiritual life of an individual believer as the fire of the 7 spirits of God light it. The traditional symbol of Menorah is also associated with Hanukkah (Chanukah), the popular Jewish Festival of Lights. This is an 8-day holiday that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in 164 ...
What is the history behind a 7 candle menorah?
The menorah was a shadow of the coming Messiah, and his chosen witnesses to the world: the body of believers. As we know, seven is God’s number of completion, but despite the plurality of lamps, it is made of one ‘piece’. Seven in one, like a rainbow, or a week.
Does the Menorah have 7 or 9 candles?
Does a menorah have 7 or 8 candles? A menorah, which has only seven candleholders , was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. A Hanukkiah, however, has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.
What's the difference between a 7 and 9 candle menorah?
A menorah, which has only seven candleholders, was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. A Hanukkiah, however, has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.
Why do menorahs have different numbers of candles?
While there are other variations, the most common types of menorahs have seven or nine candles. The number of candles is determined by the purpose that the menorah is to be used.
What is a 7 candle menorah for?
The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.
Why does a menorah have 9 branches?
The menorah is described in Exodus in minute detail, based on a heavenly prototype. For many Jews in antiquity, the menorah's seven branches represented the five visible planets, plus the sun and the moon, and its rounded branches suggested their trajectories across the heavens.
What is a 7 branch menorah called?
0:101:15Why Do Some Menorahs Have Only 7 Branches? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr tabernacle.MoreOr tabernacle.
How do you light a 7 branch menorah?
0:341:40Jewish Traditions : How to Light the Menorah - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're gonna allow one of the children perhaps or a couple of the children together to light theMoreWe're gonna allow one of the children perhaps or a couple of the children together to light the first candle. While the Shama SH is burning. Now as we do so we do recite.
How many menorahs should you have?
Every household needs at least one Menorah. However, the more candles we light, the better! In fact, the ancient rabbis teach us that we add to the mitzvah (commandment) by lighting multiple Menorahs.
Why are there 9 candles for Hanukkah?
The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
What is the ninth candle of the menorah called?
the shamashThe ninth candle on the menorah is the shamash, or “helper” candle.
Why is there a shamash candle?
The shamash or shammus is the "helper candle". It is the ninth candle for the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah/Chanukiah. It is lit before the prayers are said and the other candles are lit. Shemash was the ancient Babylonian sun-god.
Why is it called menorah?
In Hebrew, the word menorah means “lamp.” The ancient menorah had seven branches—one for each day of Creation—and it burned in the Temple in what was then Judea, a small area caught in the middle of conflict between the Egyptian empire and the Greek-Assyrian empire.
How many candles does a menorah have today?
nine candlesTypically, there are nine candles on the menorah. Menorahs with branches for nine candles are used exclusively for Hanukkah.
How many branches does a menorah have?
The Menorah has been a Jewish symbol and part of Jewish traditions for centuries. But you may have noticed that some menorahs have 7 branches and others have 8 branch? What’s the deal?
Is there a helper candle in the Hanukah menorah?
There is no helper candle, or Shamash. This menorah once stood in Jerusalem’s temple and many synagogues today have these menorahs on the bimah (altar). An eight branch menorah is known to many as the Hanukah menorah.
What does the seven branched menorah symbolize?
Since biblical times, the seven-branched menorah has symbolized Judaism. It first appears in Exodus, as a lighting fixture within the Tabernacle, a sort of portable temple used by the Israelites during their desert wanderings. The menorah is described in Exodus in minute detail, based on a heavenly prototype.
How many lights are there in a Hanukkah menorah?
The defining characteristic of a Hanukkah menorah is eight lights in a row, with a ninth lamp off to the side or above, separated from the other eight . The ninth lamp is called a shamash, a “servator,” ...
What is the Menorah based on?
The menorah is described in Exodus in minute detail, based on a heavenly prototype. For many Jews in antiquity, the menorah’s seven branches represented the five visible planets, plus the sun and the moon, and its rounded branches suggested their trajectories across the heavens.
Why was the Menorah on the Arch of Titus?
The Romans considered the menorah so recognizable a Jewish symbol that they depicted it on the Arch of Titus in Rome to illustrate the spoils that they had carried away after conquering Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Who said the menorah is a key number in Judaism?
One ancient Jewish thinker, Philo of Alexandria, compared the “harmony” of the menorah’s branches to “an instrument of music, truly divine.”. Others noted that seven is a key number in Judaism—one need only mention the biblically ordained week.
What is the oldest symbol of Judaism?
By Steven Fine. The menorah —“lamp stand” in Hebrew—has been the pre-eminent symbol of Jews and Judaism for millennia. It is the oldest continuously used religious symbol in Western civilization.
How many lamps were in the wilderness tabernacle?
The original wilderness tabernacle MENORAH and its 7 lamps which were to be kept burning at all times foreshadow Yeshua, the one who proclaimed Himself the “light of the world”.
What is the 9 branched memorah?
The 9-branched MENORAH was created to celebrate one of the major Jewish holidays known as the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights. However, you might know it better by the name HANUKKAH.
What did the foolish take with them but no oil?
The foolish ones took lamps with them but no oil.”
Why did the Jewish rebels take the Temple back?
The Jewish rebels took the Temple back, but because many of the priests had been slaughtered, there wasn’t a sufficient supply of consecrated olive oil to keep the MENORAH lamps burning for more than one day.
Is the 7 branched memorah lighted?
Contrary to popular assumption, the 7-branched MENORAH is NEVER lighted in an observant Jewish household. Keep in mind that a 7-branched MENORAH is a special implement ONLY to be used in the Temple. However, the Temple hasn’t existed for over 1900 years. So while the 7-branched MENORAH serves as a poignant reminder of the Temple both past ...
What is the Menorah?
The Menorah was a sacred, Jewish ritual object in the ancient Jewish Temple.
Why are there only 7 candles in the Temple?
Historically there is only 7 candles, because the original menorah of the temple had 7. The 9 candle variety is a tradition developed for the purpose of commemorating Chanukah which is an important memorial in Judaism where we remember and celebrate a number of miracles which resulted in our people, faith and land surviving an attempt to assimilate us into Greek culture .
What is the ninth candle called?
To help to accomplish this aim, a ninth candle was added. Called the Shamash / the servant, it is used each night to light the other candles/lights and provides the legal fiction that any use of the candelabra light comes from the Shamash and not the other candles.
How many shammas are there for Chanukah?
8 for every day of Chanukah and 1 for Shammas. The Shammas is used to light the other candles and since we’re not allowed to benefit from the candle light, if one reads by the Menorah/Chanukiyah candle light, he will be using the light of the Shammas and not violate this rule.
How many branches are there in the Menorah?
The candles are lit by a helper candle, aka shamash, which is why there are 9 of them in Hanukkiyah. Regular menorah usually has 7 branches. Also, please note that the word “menorah” is translated as “lamp” from Hebrew.
How many candles are in the Chanukah candle?
The Chanukieya [Used on Chanukah only] has 9 candles.
What is the accent on the last syllable of Chanuka?
Technically, the 9 branched lamp/candelabra used on Chanuka is called a chanukiya (accent on the last syllable) to differentiate it from the 7 branched lamp known from the Temple, and called a menorah ( accent on the last syllable).
Why do we light candles on the menorah?
They found a tiny amount—enough for just one night—but miraculously, it burned for eight nights. Today, lighting Hanukkah candles on a menorah is one of the primary Hanukkah traditions we participate in to commemorate the miracle. Read on to learn about the candles on the menorah (like how many there are and why they make great Hanukkah gifts ).
Where should a menorah be placed?
Once lit, a menorah should be placed in a window that is visible from the street. “The Talmud says we are supposed to publicize the miracle,” says Rabbi Patz.
How many candles are lit on Hanukkah?
Using the shamash, we light two on the second night, three on the third night, and so on, until all nine candles are aglow on the eighth and final night. This is why Hanukkah is often called the “festival of lights.”.
What is a Hanukkah menorah called?
A Hanukkah menorah is sometimes called a hanukkiah, although the term has only gained traction in recent decades. Rabbi Norman Patz, rabbi emeritus of Temple Sholom of West Essex, in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and visiting rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in San Juan, Puerto Rico, says the increasing use of the term likely stems from the revival ...
How many branches are there in a candelabra?
It’s a special type of candelabra designed specifically to hold the Hanukkah candles. According to Jewish law, it must have eight branches, all perfectly aligned at the same height in a straight line. The branches must be spaced apart enough so that the flame from one candle does not join with the flame from the others.
Why was the Menorah built in the desert?
The menorah was built in the desert so the high priest Aaron could light it daily in the Tabernacle (a portable sanctuary), and later, in the Temple. Some scholars believe that the branches represented six types of secular human wisdom, plus one to remind us of the importance of God.
When do you light a shamash?
Once the candles have been placed, we light the shamash and recite a series of blessings. Then, using the shamash, we light the evening’s candles left to right, so we are always lighting the newest one first. Candles may be lit anytime after nightfall and should remain lit for at least 30 minutes.
Why is the Menorah used today?
The Menorah is used today in other cults and worlds such as Masonry, which considers its lighting, carried out following a particular ritual, as a way to enhance the brothers’ skills, besides having other symbolic meanings.
What does the Menorah symbolize?
Therefore, the Menorah would symbolize the divine light that spreads out.
What does it mean to light up the Chanukkiyah?
In fact, lighting up the Chanukkiyah is a sign of their own Jewish pride.
How many branches does the Menorah have?
Many people convolute Chanukkiyah for Menorah. It is true that the two candelabras represent the same thing, but the Menorah has seven branches, the Chanukkiyah has nine.
Why is the Menorah important?
Light was important as well for the Jewish people, and that is shown by the importance they gave to the Menorah. The word Menorah comes for the same root of or, that is, light, and represents the seven-branched candelabra, symbol of the Jewish religion. Actually, the original Menorah was an oil lamp and not a candleholder, but given the subtle difference, today we call Menorah even the seven-branched candelabra.
How many candles are in a candelabra?
In the Jewish tradition, there are also other types of candelabra, such as the Chanukkiyah, or Hanukkiah. It is a nine-branched candelabra where nine candles are lit. The lighting of the candles is carried out following a very ancient and articulated ritual, because it expresses the duration and vitality of Judaic faith.
What is the central candle of Chanukah?
The central candle of the Chanukkiyah is called “ Shamash”, which means “ guardian “. It is placed higher than the other lights. The Shamash is used to light the other candles. During each evening of the Chanukah, the Shamash is lit first; the others are added gradually, one on each night of the feast. The first night, the candle is placed in the support on the extreme right of the Chanukkiyah.