Hanukkah menorah facts for kids

A Hanukkah lamp from Lemberg in The Jewish Museum of New York

A Menorah, specifically the nine-branched Hanukkah Menorah (also called a Hanukkiah), is a special candelabrum used during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It holds eight candles, one for each night of the holiday, plus a ninth "helper" candle called the shamash used to light the others.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a super special Jewish celebration often called the "Festival of Lights." It lasts for eight amazing nights and days, usually sometime in November or December. Hanukkah is all about remembering a fantastic story from long, long ago – over 2,000 years ago, around 160 BCE.

Back then, a brave group of people called the Maccabees fought for their freedom and to practice their religion. When they finally won and rededicated their holy Temple, they wanted to light its special lamp, called a Menorah. But they only found a tiny bit of pure oil, enough to last for just one day. Miraculously, that tiny bit of oil kept the Menorah burning brightly for eight days! This incredible event is why Hanukkah is celebrated with lights, joy, and, of course, the Menorah!

Naming the Lamp

In English, most people call this object a "menorah" or "Hanukkah menorah". The Hebrew word menorah simply means "lamp".

In Modern Hebrew, the specific name for this nine-branched lamp is chanukkiyah. This word was created in the late 1800s by Hemda Ben-Yehuda. Her husband, Eliezer Ben Yehuda, helped bring the Hebrew language back into daily use. The special name helps tell the difference between the Hanukkah lamp and the ancient Temple lamp.

What Does a Hanukkah Menorah Look Like?

The Menorah is the star of the Hanukkah celebration! It's not just any candle holder; it's a beautiful, meaningful object that helps tell the story of the miracle.

Unlike the ancient Temple Menorah which had seven branches, the Hanukkah Menorah has nine. Eight of these branches are for the candles that represent the eight nights of the miracle. The ninth branch is for a very special candle called the shamash (pronounced shah-mahsh). This word means "helper" or "servant" in Hebrew, and that's exactly what it does. The shamash is used to light all the other Hanukkah candles. It's usually placed a little higher or separate from the other eight candles so everyone knows it's the helper.

How Do We Light It?

A Hanukkiah with a Star of David

A 14th-century Hanukkah lamp at a museum in France

Each night of Hanukkah, families gather around their Menorah.

Night One: On the first night, you place two candles in the Menorah: one for the shamash and one for the first night. You light the shamash first, say some special blessings, and then use the shamash to light the first candle.
Night Two: On the second night, you place three candles: the shamash and two Hanukkah candles. You light the shamash, say the blessings, and then use the shamash to light the two Hanukkah candles.
And So On! This continues for all eight nights. Each night, you add one more Hanukkah candle, always lighting the shamash first and then using it to light the new candle and all the previous ones. By the eighth night, all nine candles (the shamash and the eight Hanukkah candles) are glowing brightly!

This means that over the eight nights of Hanukkah, a total of 44 candles are used (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 for the Hanukkah candles, plus 8 shamash candles).

Cool Facts About Menorahs

• The White House has participated in lighting the National Menorah since 1979. President Jimmy Carter was the first to attend the ceremony in Lafayette Park.

• In 1993, a hanukkiah was lit inside the White House with President Bill Clinton.

• In 2001, President George W. Bush started an annual holiday party that includes a candle lighting ceremony.

• While candles are traditional, some modern Menorahs use small oil lamps instead, which is actually closer to how the original Temple Menorah was lit! And for safety or convenience, some Menorahs are even electric, using light bulbs instead of flames, especially in public places or for young children.

• Digital menorahs are also popular. In 1997, the New York Times website featured the first interactive online menorah. It allowed people to "light" the candles with a mouse click.

• New York City is home to two of the world's largest hanukkiahs. Each one stands 32 feet tall. One is in Brooklyn and the other is in Manhattan. They are so tall that workers need a crane to reach the top to light them. These huge lamps were designed by the artist Yaacov Agam.

• Before lighting the candles, special blessings are recited. These blessings thank God for the miracles, for keeping the Jewish people safe, and for the commandment to light the Hanukkah lights.

• There's a special way to place and light the candles. Each night, you add the new candle to the left of the previous night's candles. So, you fill the Menorah from right to left. But when it's time to light them, you do it the opposite way! You light the newest candle first (the one on the far left) and then move from left to right. It's a little like reading a book in some languages!

• Menorahs are usually lit after sunset, or sometimes even after it gets completely dark.

Gallery

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  A silver hanukkiah

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  A Macedonian silver hanukkiah

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  Hanukkiah next to the window

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  U.S. President Harry S. Truman (left) receiving a hanukkiah in the Oval Office, 1951

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  Hanukkiah of Hope in Hostages Square Tel Aviv

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  U.S. President Jimmy Carter (right) lighting a hanukkiah in Lafayette Park, 1979

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  Moroccan hanukkiah with Tree of Life motif