What is a menorah and how is it used during Hanukkah?

A menorah, the Hebrew word for lamp, has seven branches. It was originally used in the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Menorahs were lit daily using olive oil of the purest quality. A hanukkiyah is a Hanukkah menorah used specifically to light the candles (often used today instead of oil) on Hanukkah.

How do you use a Hanukkah menorah?

On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder on the far right, and light it with the shamash. Then put the shamash back in its spot (leaving it lit). On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash.

Why is a menorah used at Hanukkah?

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.

Why do we light candles on menorahs for Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is associated with the lighting of nine candles on a menorah. But it wasn’t always that way. Many people think of Hanukkah as a “festival of lights. ” And while “light” plays a role (as we’ll see in a bit), the word “Hanukkah” is actually Hebrew for “ dedication “.

How many days did the Menorah last for Hanukkah?

They lit the menorah with the remaining one day’s worth of oil, and miraculously the oil lasted for eight full days. In commemoration of this event, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and a candle is lit on the hanukkiyah on each of those days.

What do the nine branches of the Menorah mean?

Menorah is a Hebrew word meaning “candelabrum” and sometimes refers to the nine-branched ceremonial lamp in which the Hanukkah candles are placed and blessed each night of the holiday. The nine branches include eight branches, one for each day of the holiday, and one branch for the shamash

How is Hanukkah celebrated in the Jewish world?

Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts. The events that inspired the Hanukkah holiday took place during a particularly turbulent phase of Jewish history.