| A Menorah is a candelabrum that has close | | | | is shown in the famous relief of the Arch of Titus. |
| association with Jewish history and ritual. It should | | | | From the ancient to the modern times, the |
| be noted that there is a seven branched Menorah | | | | Menorah has been considered as a Jewish symbol |
| and a special nine branched Hanukkah Menorah, | | | | and can be found on gravestones, coins, |
| which is also called a Chanukiah. According to the | | | | synagogue decorations etc. Now it serves as the |
| Bible and the Talmud, Bezelel made the original | | | | seal and emblem of the Jewish State of Israel. |
| Menorah for the Tabernacle. It was made from a | | | | A special Hanukkah Menorah, which is also called a |
| single mass of gold. If you study the Jewish | | | | Hanukkiah or Chanukiah is lit during the festival of |
| history, you will understand that the Tabernacle | | | | Hanukkah. It is a candelabrum with eight branches |
| was the temporary, mobile center for worshipping | | | | of equal size that all sit in a row and a separate |
| God used by the Israelites from the days of | | | | candle holder for 'Shamash'. The Shamash candle |
| Moses till the First Temple was constructed in | | | | is used to light all the other eight candles, since |
| Jerusalem. Tradition says that the original Menorah | | | | the Hanukkah light should not be used for |
| was there in the First Temple with ten extra | | | | anything other than viewing. After lighting, it has |
| lamps. However, they got destroyed when the | | | | to place in a place for all to see. It is a joyous |
| First Temple was ruined. | | | | occasion, celebrating the Jewish Macccabees' |
| One Menorah was there in the Second Temple | | | | miraculous victory over the Greek-Syrian army |
| also. According to the story of Chanukah, this | | | | and the single-days-worth of pure oil that |
| Menorah was looted by Greek Syrian soldiers and | | | | miraculously lasted for eight days in the Temple. |
| then re-dedicated by the Maccabees. Later on | | | | Jewish families assemble around their Hanukkah |
| when the Second Temple was destroyed, Titus | | | | Menorah each night of Hanukkah festival to recite |
| took it along with other artifacts and displayed | | | | the Hanukkah blessings, kindle the lights, sing |
| them on his return to Rome. The looted Menorah | | | | songs and eat special Hanukkah food. |