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Why does the ancient menorah have only seven branches and the modern day menorah have eight branches?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The Temple's menorah and the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah-menorah) are two different things that have a similar appearance.
The Temple's menorah was the seven-branched candelabra (in Exodus ch.25) that used to exist in the Great Temple in Jerusalem. All of the branches of the menorah were of equal height. The menorah itself was massive (eighteen hand-breaths high - roughly five feet tall), made of gold; and it had seven oil lamps that would be lit late every afternoon. Since the Destruction of the Second Temple, there has not been a menorah.
A Hanukkah-menorah (or hanukiah) on the other hand, is the nine-branched candelabra that Jews use to celebrate Hanukkah all over the world. Eight of the branches are of equal height while the ninth is usually higher (it can be lower, but the height must be distinguishable). Hanukiot can be oil lamps, or hold candles, or (where there are safety-issues) it can be electric. They are used during Hanukkah only and the number of candles lit each day corresponds to the number of days elapsed since the beginning of the eight-day holiday. The eight main branches symbolize the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth branch holds the Shamash or "leader candle" which is used to light the others. The choice of using the eight-flame hanukiah to symbolize Hanukkah is based upon the miracle of Hanukkah, in which a one-day supply of oil for the menorah was miraculously able to burn for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b).
(Note that many Orthodox Jews refer to the hanukkiah as a menorah; and there are halakha-sources which do the same since the word "hanukkiah" is a recent Israeli invention. However, it may be useful to refer to it as a hanukkiah in order to clarify the difference between the two objects.)
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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Why does a menorah have six or eight holders in a synagogue?
A menorah has 7 branches, to represent the 7 days of Creation. (There is also a specialized menorah for Hanukkah, called a Hanukkiyah, which has 9 branches, but there is nothing with 6 or 8 branches.)
What can a minorah be used for?
A Menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches that is lit during the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. It is lit during the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.
What is the 7 branched candleholder of judaism called?
It's called a menorah (see Exodus ch.25). hanukkah-menorahs, however, have eight branches.
What is the 6 branched candle holder?
The Menorah in the Jewish Temple had seven (including the one in the middle) branches (Exodus ch.25). Hanukkah-menorahs have eight branches, plus an extra candle used to light the others.
What does the menorah symbolize?
The menorah is a symbol of light and divine presence in Judaism. It represents the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple after the Maccabean Revolt. Additionally, it is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment.
What does the word Menorah mean in Hebrew and Yiddish?
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.
What does a seven-candle stand mean in Judaism?
The Menorah in the Temple had 7 branches (Exodus ch.25).The Hanukkah-menorah (channukiah) has 9 branches; 8 to remind us of the eight days of Hannukah and one extra which is used to light all the others.
Why are there 15 candles on the menorah?
There are only eight candles on the menorah; plus a ninth which is used to light the other candles.
What is the name of the eight candle symbol used for Hanukkah?
It's called a menorah, or a Hanukkah menorah. Israelis call it a Hanukkiah.
When was the 8 candle added to the menorah?
The "Menorah" is the 7-branched olive-oil lamp that stood in the Tabernacle. Its constructionis described late in the book of Exodus, and its design was never modified.The lamp of eight branches (plus one for a lighter) used during Chanukah is often erroneouslyalso called a menorah, which is a source of much confusion. It's preferable to refer to that oneas a "Chanukiah" (kha-NOO-kee-ah).
What Christmas song has the word menorah in it?
There aren"t any. the Menorah is associated with Hannukah, a Jewish holiday cycle of eight days.
What is the importance of the Hanukkiah?
The Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkah lamp) is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, as opposed to the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple (Exodus ch.25) or as a symbol.The ninth holder, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), is for a candle used to light all other candles and/or to be used as an extra light.The menorah is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art.The menorah is often displayed in public around Hanukkah time (in December or late November).The seven-branched menorah has been a traditional symbol of Judaism for centuries, along with the Star of David.The lamp is most commonly called a "Hanukkah menorah," or simply "menorah" for short; and in Modern Hebrew it is called a chanukkiyah, while the Hebrew word menorah is used to mean "lamp."Since 1979, the White House has been represented at the lighting of a national menorah in celebration of Hanukkah. In the United Kingdom, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom each year holds a menorah lighting at the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons.One or more Hanukkah-menorahs are lit in each Jewish home during the eight nights of Hanukkah. This is a religious ceremony, with blessings to God and traditional songs of praise.The flames of the menorah symbolize the eight days of the miracle of the oil (see details in the attached Link)
