| The Menorah is a seven branched candelabrum to | | | | to left and when the candles are lit, it's in the |
| be light by olive oil in the tabernacle and the | | | | opposite order (from left to right). |
| temple in Jerusalem. | | | | Every night during Hanukkah, when the candles |
| The Menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the | | | | are lit, this is the prayer that recited: |
| Jews, it is said to symbolize the burning bash as | | | | "Baruch attah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam |
| seen by Moses on Mount Sinai. | | | | asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav vetziivanu l'hadlik ner |
| Symbolically, the Menorah represent the creation | | | | shel Hanukkah" |
| of the universe in seven days, the center light | | | | "Baruch attah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam |
| symbolizes the Shabbat. The seven branches are | | | | she'asa nisim la'avoteinu bayamim hahem |
| also the seven continents on earth and the seven | | | | bazeman hazeh" |
| heavens, guided by the light of God. As | | | | "Baruch attah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam |
| mentioned in the Zohar, "these lamps, like the | | | | she'hechyanu vekiyamanu vehigianu lazman ha'zeh. |
| plants above, receive their light from the sun", | | | | The meaning of the name Hanukkah is |
| (Beha'aloteka beginning). | | | | "dedication" because it marks the re-dedication of |
| Synagogues feature a continually lit lamp in front | | | | the Temple after its desecration under Antiochus |
| of the ark, where the Torah scroll is kept. Called | | | | IV. |
| the "Ner tamid", this lamp represents the | | | | According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of |
| continually lit Menorah used in the temple times. | | | | the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of |
| The Hanukkah Menorah, or Hanukkah candlestick, | | | | the Maccabim over the Seleucid Empire, there |
| is called "Hanukiyah" in Hebrew. Not like the original | | | | was only enough olive oil to fuel the eternal flame |
| menorah, which has seven branches, this one has | | | | in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil |
| nine. There are eight candles, one candle for each | | | | burned for eight days - which was the length of |
| night of Hanukkah and the ninth is called the | | | | time it took to press, prepare and consecrate |
| "Shamash". | | | | new oil. |
| The candles are placed in the Menorah from right | | | | |