What is a menoah and what role does it have in the word Hanukkah ceremonies?

Answer 1

A menorah is like a strait candelabra, with nine holes (one of those nine is for the Shammash, the tall candle, so there are really only eight). Every Jew is obligated to light them, one candle each night, adding one each night (assuming you can afford it. If not, there are other ways of doing it, but no one does it like those other ways nowadays). For example, (excluding the Shammesh) you light one candle the first night, two the second night etc. Place the candles on the far right of the menorah (excluding the shammash) and if there are more than one candle, light from left to right. Lighting the Menorah is the Mitzva, commandment - of Hanukkah.