The Hanukkah Menorah - More Than a Jewish Gift
The Hanukkah Menorah - More Than a Jewish Gift
As opposed to the biblical seven-branched menorah used in services of the Holy Temple, the Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, which is lit during the eight-day, winter holiday of Hanukkah. So from whence does the ninth branch come? The ninth branch is called the shamash, and it is used to ceremonially light the other branches.
From whence comes the difference in terms between Hanukkah menorah and Hanukiah?
Well, in the English-speaking diaspora that is outside the land of Israel the lamp is commonly called a "Hanukkah menorah," or simply "menorah" for short, whereas in Modern Hebrew it is called exclusively a chanukkiyah, and the Hebrew word menorah simply means "lamp" or "light bulb."
Actually, the term "Chanukkiyah" was coined at the end of the nineteenth century in Jerusalem by the wife of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, famous for reviving the Hebrew language in preparation for the founding of the modern State of Israel.
A bit of Hanukkah History:
The Festival of Lights, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish revolt against the Hellenistic, Syrian Seleucid monarchy.
The Seleucid Empire lasted from (312 63 BC). It was formed by the eastern conquests of the former Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great.
The Seleucids, under Antiochus IV sought to Hellenize the Holy Temple and the nation of Israel and Judea. When Judah and the Maccabees finally crushed the revolt, the Temple had been severely damaged. When they went to rededicate it, they found just enough oil left to illuminate the place for one day though miraculously the lamp burned for eight days
Famous Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, (37 c.100 AD/CE), is the one responsible for dubbing the holiday, "the festival of lights."
The eight day Festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of the Menorah or Hanukiah. We light one candle on each night of the holiday, finally progressing to eight on the final night. The candles are placed in the Hanukkah menorah from right to left and kindled from left to right.
Now, the manner of lighting one additional candle each night follows the opinion of the House of Hillel, (Hillel was a famous Talmudic rabbi) and this is commonly accepted as Jewish law. The House of Shammai (another Talmudic Rabbi, known for his constant disagreement with the House of Hillel and stricter opinions) however did not concur. He held that eight candles should be kindled the first night, then seven the second night, and so on down to one candle on the last night. Today, this approach is not commonly followed if at all.
There is more significance too, to the number eight's incorporation in the Festival of Lights.
According to Rabbi Eliezer Posner:
In kabbalistic teachings, the number seven symbolizes perfection perfection that is achievable via natural means while eight symbolizes that which is beyond nature and its (inherently limited) perfection
Eight, on the other hand, is symbolic of an entity that is one step above the natural order, higher than nature and its limitations. That's why Chanukah is eight days longthe greatly outnumbered Maccabees' resolve to battle the Greeks wasn't logical or natural. They drew on reservoirs of faith and courage that are not part of normative human nature. They therefore merited a miracle higher than nature a miracle that lasted eight days and to commemorate this, we light on Chanukah an eight-branched menorah
Much the way of Christmas lights, though not to draw any comparison, the menorah is often displayed in public around Hanukkah time, and that is why many people choose to buy for themselves or as Hanukkah Gifts the most beautiful and intricate silver Menorahs or unique handmade Menorahs. In the United States, elected officials sometimes participate in publicly lighting the menorah. The Chassidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement is well-known for public lighting ceremonies, which it has done since a directive from their late Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, back in 1987.
The Hanukkah lights can either be candle flames or oil-fueled. Because the miracle of Hanukkah happened with olive oil the little cruse of oil which lasted for eight days an oil menorah is preferable to a candle one, and olive oil is the ideal fuel. Cotton wicks are often preferred because of the smooth flame that they produce.
As stated before, whenever purchasing an article for use in a mitzvah, such as the Hanukkah Menorah, we want to buy the most beautiful one that is within our means. If possible, we want to go for the silver menorah. Beautifying the mitzvah is a way of expressing our appreciation to Gd, and showing how dearly we hold His commandments
Electric menorahs are sometimes used as well. They are great for display purposes, say to compete with the neighbor's outdoor Christmas tree.
But the Hanukkah lights used to fulfill the mitzvah should be real flames fueled by, as before mentioned, wax or oil so as to remind us realistically of the flames in the Holy Temple.
Happy Hanukkah and Happy Menorah Shopping!
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