The menorah – the Temple lamp and the Hanukkah menorah מְנוֹרָה
The menorah is the seven-branched golden lamp that stood in the Tabernacle and the Temple. It is the oldest Jewish symbol and appears today on the emblem of the State of Israel. The eight-branched lamp lit on Hanukkah is a different object, often also called a menorah or hanukkiah.
The Temple menorah
The Torah describes it in detail: hammered from a single piece of pure gold, with a central stem, six branches and decorations of cups, knobs and flowers (Exodus 25:31–40). The priest lit it every evening (Exodus 27:20–21; Numbers 8:1–4). The prophet Zechariah saw a golden menorah in a vision (Zechariah 4:2), whose message is “not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit” (4:6). The Arch of Titus in Rome shows the menorah carried away after the destruction of the Second Temple; that image inspired the emblem of Israel.
The Talmud forbids making an exact replica of the Temple menorah with seven branches (Rosh Hashanah 24a; Menachot 28b; Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 141:8), which is why many decorative menorahs have six or eight branches or a different shape.
The Hanukkah menorah
On Hanukkah eight lights are lit, one more each night, plus a helper light (shamash) – commemorating the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees and the oil that lasted eight days (Shabbat 21b). It is placed by a doorway or window to publicise the miracle.
Ashkenazim customarily have every member of the household light his own menorah; Sephardim usually light one menorah per household (Shulchan Aruch and Rema, Orach Chayim 671:2).
Sources
וְעָשִׂיתָ מְנֹרַת זָהָב טָהוֹר מִקְשָׁה תֵּעָשֶׂה הַמְּנוֹרָה יְרֵכָהּ וְקָנָהּ גְּבִיעֶיהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ וּפְרָחֶיהָ מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה וָאֹמַר רָאִיתִי וְהִנֵּה מְנוֹרַת זָהָב כֻּלָּהּ וְגֻלָּהּ עַל־רֹאשָׁהּ וְשִׁבְעָה נֵרֹתֶיהָ עָלֶיהָ שִׁבְעָה וְשִׁבְעָה מוּצָקוֹת לַנֵּרוֹת אֲשֶׁר עַל־רֹאשָׁהּ
Talmud and halachic sources
- Talmud, Menachot 28a–b; Rosh Hashanah 24a – not copying the Temple vessels
- Talmud, Shabbat 21b–23a – Hanukkah lights
- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 671–677
Frequently asked questions
- How many branches does a menorah have?
- The Temple menorah had seven. The Hanukkah menorah has eight lights plus a ninth helper light, the shamash.
- What is the difference between a menorah and a hanukkiah?
- In Hebrew, menorah is the seven-branched Temple lamp and hanukkiah the Hanukkah lamp. In English both are often called menorah.
- Can I have a seven-branched menorah at home?
- Jewish law forbids an exact replica of the Temple menorah. Lamps that differ clearly – in material, shape or number of branches – are generally permitted; ask your rabbi about a specific item.
- Why is the menorah the emblem of Israel?
- It is the ancient symbol of the Temple and of Jewish continuity; the emblem chosen in 1949 is based on the menorah on the Arch of Titus.