The Importance Of The Menorah To Jewish Faith

Menorah pendants are very popular with thosedays, which is the length of time required to
involved in the Jewish faith as a result of themake new, pure, ritual olive oil. Therefore the
importance of the menorah itself in Jewish culturemenorah never went out, and the occasion is
and religion. The menorah is one of the oldestpermanently remembered with the celebration of
symbols of Judaism, with history dating backthe eight day long festival of Hanukkah.
thousands of years. The standard menorah is aWhy Wear a Menorah Pendant?
seven-armed candle holder that is used yearAs a result of the strong connection between
round in religious ceremonies. It is so prominent inJewish culture and faith and the menorah,
Jewish culture that it is also depicted on themenorah pendants are very popular. Menorah
emblem of Israel.jewelry most commonly features the standard,
The standard menorah is said to representseven-armed menorah, however Hanukiahs are
several different things. First, it is supposed toalso featured in some jewelry pieces.
represent the burning bush that Moses saw, atOutside of the Star of David, there isn't any
which point God conversed with him and made hissymbol that is more intertwined with Judaism than
presence known. It is also said to represent thethe menorah. Wearing a necklace with a menorah
everlasting presence of God in our lives. Withpendant is therefore an excellent way to
seven different branches, one for each day ofshowcase your connection with Judaism and your
the week, the menorah represents a continuingrelationship with God. If the standard menorah
connection with God throughout the entire week.represents the every day presence of God in our
The Hanukkah Menorahlives, there is hardly a better way to take that to
Despite the importance of the standard menorahheart than to wear a menorah everywhere you
in Jewish culture, more widely known in the Unitedgo.
States is the Hanukkah menorah, also known as aBy wearing a pendant with a nine-branched
Hanukiah. This version of the menorah features aHanukiah you would be showcasing the fighting
total of nine arms, four on each side with anspirit and the long, storied and turbulent history of
elevated arm in the center. The elevated centerthe Jewish people. The successful uprising of the
branch is known as the Shamash, and it is usedMaccabees against Antiochus is yet another time
to light the other branches.in history when the Jewish people had their backs
The Hanukiah represents the miracle of theagainst the wall and were forced to fight and
burning oil following the successful Jewish uprisingscrap for their survival. A Hanukiah pendant is an
against Antiochus, led by the Maccabees. Withexcellent way to remember that occasion and
only enough scared oil to light the holy menorahhonor the obstacles that Judaism has had to
for one day, they feared the menorah would burnovercome.
out. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight