About The Hanukkah Menorah

The Hanukkah Menorah, as we all know, is a candle holder. Specifically, it is a candelabrum with eight branches. It is used during the eight days of Chanukah. The ninth spot on holds the Shamash, which is the one candle used to light all of the others.

Chanukah is a celebration of when the Israelites rededicated the Temple after revolting in opposition to the Seleucid dominion. The Israelites couldn’t find enough oil to light the Temple’s menorah for more than a single day, but it miraculously stayed lit until more oil could be found, eight days later. This is why Chanukah is referred to as the Festival of Lights

The menorah found in the temple would have had seven, as opposed to eight branches. Apart from the symbolic meaning of the eight branches, indicating the miracle of the eight days, it is also possible that the number of branches do not match because the sanctity of the Temple would not allow exact copies to be made.

There are also references to the story of Hannah and her sons. The story is told in the Talmud, that Hannah had seven sons who were forced before an idol to do worship at the time of Antiochus. They refused to do obeisance to the idol and were tortured and killed. Upon learning of the execution of her sons, Hannah killed herself.

Today, you can purchase one of these candelabrum in an assortment reflecting all sorts of tastes and affordability. This selection scans from the elaborate to the practical. As it is the centerpiece of the Chanukah tradition, many families pass down generations old renditions of this Jewish ceremonial artifact from one generation to the next.

l and ornate menorahs such as the ones you can see at the Jewish museum in London, the Israel Museum, and also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The most famous of these is the Lindo Lamp, housed in the Israel Museum.

The Lindo Lamp is made of Sterling silver and depicts a scene from 1Kings 17:6, in which Elijah is eating food brought to him by ravens. The sponsor who commissioned the work of art was Elijah Lindo. This practice of depicting a biblical scene incorporating the name of the benefactor is common in Jewish art.

For more on Hanukkah Gifts and Hanukkah Gelt check this out.

The Lindo Lamp, though on display at the Israel Museum, is not owned by the museum and there are concerns that if it is not acquired by the museum, it may be bought out from under them by a collector. There is an attempt being made to raise enough funds to purchase this, the oldest known menorah created in Britain, on behalf of the museum.