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The menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem (the Beit Hamikdash) was lit with olive oil, not candles. It had seven branches (three on each side and one in the middle) as commanded explicitly (Exodus ch.25).
To celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, we also use a menorah. But since the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, we use a menorah that has eight branches (plus the shamash-candle used to light the others. This added candle need not be part of the menorah).
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The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) were miraculously victorious. When they reached the Temple grounds, they immediately reconsecrated it to God. As part of this action, they relit the Menorah (Exodus ch.25), which was fueled with olive oil. However, it soon became apparent that there was only sufficient oil to keep the candelabra burning for one single day - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence still dwelt in the Holy Temple. This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
What else can I help you with?
Does the menorah has seven candles?
The menorah of the Holy Temple had 7 oil lamps (Exodus ch.25). However the specialized Hanukkah menorah (Chanukiah) has 9 candles.
Why do some menorahs have 7 candles instead of the traditional 9?
Some menorahs have 7 candles instead of the traditional 9 because they are used for Hanukkah, which lasts for 8 days. The 7-candle menorah represents the 7 days of the week, while the 9-candle menorah is used for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which commemorates the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days.
What holds 8 candles?
The hanukkiah, also called Hanukkah-menorah, is a candelabra that holds 9 candles and is used for the holiday of Hanukkah.
What is a Hanukkah light?
It's actually candles. There are eight candles and they are usually white. The Menorah is what holds the candles in place for Hanukkah. there are no specific candles. The Menorah is usually gold and is shaped like an upside down rainbow w/ 4 lines making up the rainbow. On each end of the curved line there is a candle holder for each candle.
Is it proper to put lights on the whole menorah?
You only light all 9 candles on the last night of Hanukkah.
How many candles on the menorah?
A menorah has 7. But if you want to celebrate Hanukkah, you need a hanukkiah. The hanukkiah has 8 candles which you are not allowed to use except to look at them. The 9th is separated from the rest and is used as the worker candle. It lights all other candles. You place from right to left but light from left to right. I hope my answer is helpful.
What is a candle holder called with 9 candles?
Many people call it a menorah, but it's actually called a Chanukiah.Answer:The above answer is mistaken. While "Chanukkiah" may be an acceptable name, it is a recently-invented word. It is called a "menorah" in the classical Halakha-sources. "Ner Hanukkah" (for all the candles collectively) is also used.
How many stands does the menorah have?
A menorah is a candelabra with a single stand. Its design enables to branch out and hold 9 candles stemming from one base. It is most commonly used in the Jewish holiday of Haukkah.
When is it appropriate to use the Jewish seven branch menorah?
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.
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.)
Why are there 9 candles but 8 days?
That is because the middle candle is used to light the menorah every night. That's called the"shamash" or servent.
What is a Jewish fourteen branch candelabra?
There is no such thing. A menorah has 7 branches. A specialized form of the menorah, called a Hanukkiyah, has 9 branches.
