menorah vs hanukiah

Menorah vs hanukiah

The difference between the Hanukkiah and the Temple Menorah lies in the number of candles each holds as well as menorah vs hanukiah purpose and time of year each is used. The Hanukkiah is a type of menorah or candelabra that holds 9 candles itsmjbaby has 8 branches. The Menorah is a similar candelabra with branches. However, it is a 7-lamp candelabra with 6 branches.

The Hanukkah lamp contains room for nine candles — one for each night, plus the shammash or helper candle — though it is possible to find some antique European examples with 10 candle holders. Menorah is the Hebrew word for lamp, and specifically refers to the seven-branched candelabrum that was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, a hanukkiah, or Hanukkah menorah, is a type of menorah; every hanukkiah is a menorah, but not every menorah is a hanukkiah. When is Hanukkah ? Get all the details on the holiday here. One candle is added on each night of the eight-night holiday until it is ablaze with light on the eighth evening.

Menorah vs hanukiah

The menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, is the oldest symbol of the Jewish religion, and a variation of it is used for the observance of Chanukah — the Festival of Lights. During Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, Jews worldwide will light the chanukiah , a modern-Hebrew word describing the candelabrum with nine branches that resembles a menorah and is used on this festival. One branch is lit on the first night, and another is added each subsequent night until the eighth, when the menorah becomes fully lit. The ninth branch in the center is used for the flame that lights the main branches. The original menorah stood in the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. The priests would light it in the sanctuary each day, following detailed procedure as instructed in the Bible. Chanukah celebrates two miracles. The Talmud states that it is forbidden to use a seven-branched menorah outside of the Temple, which is why the modern-day chanukiah is slightly different. The Tabernacle, according to the Hebrew Bible, was the portable dwelling place for the Divine presence from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. One very significant difference was the fact that Solomon had added another 10 menorahs, which stood in the sanctuary. It has not been ascertained whether or not the menorah that was taken to Rome following the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 AD was in fact the main menorah. What is definite, though, is that a menorah from the Temple did reach Rome. On the Arch of Titus, which was constructed in the year 82 AD in Rome in commemoration of the siege of Jerusalem, a bas-relief depicts the arrival of sacred Temple vessels, including a menorah. Therefore, it is the opinion of many Torah sages that the menorah taken to Rome and depicted on the Arch of Titus was one of the spare menorahs kept in the Temple warehouse and not the active duty menorah which would have been standing in the sanctuary.

What is the History of the Menorah?

A menorah is a candelabrum with seven or nine branches or holders for light; it is often associated with the seven-branched menorah that was in the First and Second Temples. A hanukkiah is the Hebrew term for the nine lights or eight plus one — the shamash used at Hanukkah. A menorah can be shaped in many ways: as a circle or in a straight line. The description of the menorah in the First Temple seems to have been shaped in this way, with several almond blossom flowers on each stem with a cup for oil. A similar menorah is depicted at the synagogue in Dura Europos a city on the Euphrates River established around BCE , but with straight branches; this might be where Maimonides got his idea for the straight branch version. You can see one of these outside the Chabad House in Providence. It is a very common symbol in Jewish art through all the ages, in illustrations and carvings in synagogues and tombs.

A Brief History of the 8-Branch Candelabrum. The hanukkiyah, pronounced ha-noo-kee-yah, is also known as a Hanukkah menorah. A hanukkiyah is a candelabrum with eight candleholders in a row and a ninth candleholder set a slightly higher than the others. It's different from a menorah , which has seven branches and was used in the Temple before it was destroyed in 70 C. A hanukkiyah is nevertheless a kind of menorah. The hanukkiyah is used during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and commemorates the miracle of the oil lasting for much longer than it should have.

Menorah vs hanukiah

A hanukiah has 9 candles, one of which is at a different height than the others. This is a common question. According to tradition, every year from the 25th of Kislev which is the Jewish calendar or the end of December according to the Gregorian calendar, Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of light. The main religious tradition of Hanukkah is lighting the Hanukiah. Some people confuse the hanukiah with a menorah however; there is quite a substantial difference between the two. The menorah is a symbol of Israel. A hanukiah is a type of candelabra, with nine candle holders. Eight candles are in a line and the ninth candle is out of place, either at a different height or in a different position on the Hanukiah.

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The Hanukkiah is a symbol of the miracle of the lasting oil. Hanukkah When Is Hanukkah in , , , and ? Main menu Toggle navigation. One branch is lit on the first night, and another is added each subsequent night until the eighth, when the menorah becomes fully lit. In Summary…. The Hanukiah represent the miracle of the oil burning for eight days instead of one. Back to all posts. She circles her hands over the flames three times, then places her hands briefly over her eyes, reciting the Hebrew blessing that honors God and ushers in the Sabbath. Typically, they are lit anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. A menorah is a candelabrum with seven or nine branches or holders for light; it is often associated with the seven-branched menorah that was in the First and Second Temples. The amount of time the candles are lit is up to you. Therefore, it is the opinion of many Torah sages that the menorah taken to Rome and depicted on the Arch of Titus was one of the spare menorahs kept in the Temple warehouse and not the active duty menorah which would have been standing in the sanctuary.

The original golden Menorah had 7 branches : three branches on each side and one main branch at the center. Each branch had a dedicated oil cup that was lit using olive oil.

Often, now, the ninth light has been incorporated into the menorah. After you light the candles, enjoy the time with your family! Join us in sending winter care packages and personal notes of support to Israeli soldiers who are out in the cold all day. Join Our Newsletter Empower your Jewish discovery, daily. In the Middle Ages, some had a backplate so that they could be hung on the wall. The menorah has remained the ultimate Jewish icon throughout history. Hanukkah When Is Hanukkah in , , , and ? A hanukiah is a type of candelabra, with nine candle holders. While the Temple was in Jerusalem, it was customary for the high priests to light the Menorah every day at sundown. The same accounts indicate that it was eventually sent back to Jerusalem, but there is no record of the second Menorah after that.

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