Hanukkah menorahs have 9 branches, while the original (in the Holy Temple) had seven (Exodus ch.25). Students of the Kabbalah say that the seven branches and their junctures portrayed, in a different form, the 10 Sephiroth (plus Da'ath) of the Tree of Life. Too difficult to explain here, but there are diagrams on the related link below.
1) The oil lamps of the seven-branched menorah in the Holy Temple were lit every day at evening (Leviticus ch.24).
2) Decorative menorahs of any configuration may be lit at any time or left unlit. Some synagogues have one of these lit at every prayer-time though there's no obligation.
3) Our Hanukkah-menorahs are lit each evening only during Hanukkah. They have eight branches plus a helper-candle used to light the others.
a seven branched menorah is usually used only for decoration. It can be displayed anywhere, but it's usually not ever lit.
None. The 7 branched menorah is a symbol of the ner tamid (eternal light) and is not associated with a specific holiday.
usually it is lit in the home but displayed prominently in a window.
the Menorah
The menorah
menorah (×ž× ×•×¨×”)
The Menorah - The menorah is the oldest symbol of the Jewish faith. It is the seven branched candelabra that stood in the Temple.
A menorah can have any design or words on it. It depends on the menorah. There is no rule about this.
It is called a Menorah. It has seven candles because that was the number of oil lamps on the menorah in the Holy Temple (Exodus ch.25). The Hanukkah-menorah has eight candles because that was the number of days of the miracle with the oil.
There are two types of menorah: the Temple one, which was a seven-branched gold candelabrum (Exodus ch.25); and the Hanukkah one, which is a nine-branched candelabrum. Many Hanukkah candelabra are gold in color, but they can be whatever color you choose.See also:More about Hanukkah
The Hebrew word Menorah actually has a different meaning in Yiddish than it does in Hebrew:HebrewMenoráh (מנורה) = lampYiddishMenórah (מנורה) = seven-branched candle holder used in ancient Judaism (in the Temple), and the eight-branched candle holder used in Hanukkah.
The menorah in the Tabernacle (Exodus ch.25) was a seven-branched candelabrum, symbolizing the 7 days of creation. Another type, called a Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah-menorah) has 9 branches and is only used on Hanukkah.
It sounds like you are talking about the menorah (×ž× ×•×¨×”) which is a seven-branched candelabra and the traditional symbol of Israel.
The Hanukkah-menorah (Hanukkiyah) has 8 spots for the candles and 1 spot for the "shamash" which is used to light the other candles. It is lit on the eight nights of Hanukkah, at or after sunset. On Friday afternoon it is lit before sunset.
It refers to the flame of the golden seven-branched olive oil menorah (candelabrum) in the Sanctuary.