Hanukkah menorah: Difference between revisions
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Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful [[Maccabees|Jewish revolt]] against the [[Seleucid]] monarchy. The Jews found only enough ritually pure [[olive oil]] to light the [[menorah]] for one day, but the supply miraculously lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained. In celebration of this miracle, the chanukkiyah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps, none higher than any other, except for one higher branch for the auxiliary candle, or ''shamash'', which guards against secular use of the other lights and is also used to light them. |
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful [[Maccabees|Jewish revolt]] against the [[Seleucid]] monarchy. The Jews found only enough ritually pure [[olive oil]] to light the [[menorah]] for one day, but the supply miraculously lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained. In celebration of this miracle, the chanukkiyah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps, none higher than any other, except for one higher branch for the auxiliary candle, or ''shamash'', which guards against secular use of the other lights and is also used to light them. |
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The common reason for the number of the candles is that they symbolize the eight days of the miracle. Each night an additional light is kindled – one on the first night, two on the second night; and so on – until on the eighth night of Hanukkah all eight lights, plus the shamash, are lit.<ref>This follows the opinion of [[Hillel]] which is the normative current practice. [[Shammai]] ruled that it was eight on the first night and seven on the second, and so on.</ref> |
The common reason for the number of the candles is that they symbolize the eight days of the miracle. Each night an additional light is kindled – one on the first night, two on the second night; and so on – until on the eighth night of Hanukkah all eight lights, plus the shamash, are lit.<ref>This follows the opinion of [[Hillel]] which is the normative current practice. [[Shammai]] ruled that it was eight on the first night and seven on the second, and so on.</ref> Some Jews light all candles and extinguish one each night, instead. |
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Another possible reason for the eight branches of the Chanukah menorah, as opposed to the seven in the traditional [[menorah]] in the temple, may be because according to [[halakha]], it is forbidden to make a [[menorah]] similar to the one in the temple because of its sanctity.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}<!--there is a clear sources that it is forbidden to make an object similar to a menorah - but I cannot find one which uses this a ''source'' for the reason for an eight branched one. --> |
Another possible reason for the eight branches of the Chanukah menorah, as opposed to the seven in the traditional [[menorah]] in the temple, may be because according to [[halakha]], it is forbidden to make a [[menorah]] similar to the one in the temple because of its sanctity.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}<!--there is a clear sources that it is forbidden to make an object similar to a menorah - but I cannot find one which uses this a ''source'' for the reason for an eight branched one. --> |
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Revision as of 18:00, 21 December 2008
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The Hanukkah Menorah (Hebrew: מנורה menorah) (also Template:Lang-he Hanukiah, or Chanukkiyah, pl. hanukiyot, or Yiddish: חנוכּה לאמפּ khanike lomp, Lit: Chanukah lamp) is, strictly speaking, an eight-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, as opposed to the seven branched-menorah used in the ancient Temple or as a symbol. The ninth holder, called the shamash ("helper or servant"), is for a candle used to light all other candles.
Origins
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy. The Jews found only enough ritually pure olive oil to light the menorah for one day, but the supply miraculously lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained. In celebration of this miracle, the chanukkiyah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps, none higher than any other, except for one higher branch for the auxiliary candle, or shamash, which guards against secular use of the other lights and is also used to light them.
The common reason for the number of the candles is that they symbolize the eight days of the miracle. Each night an additional light is kindled – one on the first night, two on the second night; and so on – until on the eighth night of Hanukkah all eight lights, plus the shamash, are lit.[1] Some Jews light all candles and extinguish one each night, instead.
Another possible reason for the eight branches of the Chanukah menorah, as opposed to the seven in the traditional menorah in the temple, may be because according to halakha, it is forbidden to make a menorah similar to the one in the temple because of its sanctity.[citation needed]
Another interpretation for the eight-day ceremony is that it commemorates the story of Hannah and her seven sons. The story depicted in the Talmud and in the Book of Maccabees accounts how Hannah's seven sons were tortured and executed according to Antiochus' policy when they refused to bow to a statue and to taste pork. Hannah herself committed suicide after the death of her sons.[citation needed]
Name
In the diaspora, this candelabrum is more commonly called a "Hanukkah Menorah" whereas in Modern Hebrew it is exclusively called a Chanukkiyah, and the Hebrew word "menorah" simply means "lamp". The name "Chanukkiyah" was given only in the end of the nineteenth century in Jerusalem by the wife of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the reviver of the Hebrew language.
Notes
See also
External links
- Menorah Pictures
- "Lighting the Way to Freedom" by Aaron Ha'Tell and Yaniv Ben Or, Devorah Publishing (2006). ISBN 1-932687-66-1
- Instructions for lighting the Chanukah Menorah on chabad.org
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