| The menorah is used during the eight day | | | | is lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from |
| celebration of Hanukkah. The Hebrew word for | | | | right to left; but they are lit from left to right. By |
| menorah is Hanukiyah. Some people also call it a | | | | the eighth day of the Hanukkah celebration, all the |
| candelabra or candelabrum. | | | | candles on the menorah are lit. |
| Hanukkah is celebrated each year on the 25th | | | | It is encouraged that the menorah try to be lit as |
| day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Depending on | | | | soon as the first stars can be seen in the night |
| when that date falls, Hanukkah is celebrated in | | | | sky, but it can be later in the evening too. A |
| late November or early December. | | | | blessing is spoken when the menorah is lit. The |
| The first menorah had seven branches. Each | | | | ceremony of lighting the menorah is traditionally |
| branch symbolized one day of the week and it | | | | witnessed by the entire household. After the |
| burned olive oil. The second menorah also had | | | | menorah is lit, it is customarily placed in or near a |
| seven branches, but when the first and second | | | | window so people passing by can see it. The |
| Temples were destroyed seven branched | | | | menorah stays lit until the candles burn |
| menorahs were no longer used. Seven branched | | | | themselves out. |
| menorahs are available in today's modern times | | | | The menorahs available today vary from simple |
| though, in honor of and as a reminder of the first | | | | to elaborate. There are special menorahs just for |
| menorah. | | | | children brass; tabletop menorahs; floor menorahs; |
| Today the more common menorah has eight | | | | and menorahs that are electrified instead of |
| branches along with a ninth branch to hold the | | | | burning candles. Some types and styles I've seen |
| candle that is used to light the other candles. On | | | | include: crystal, etched glass, aluminum, ceramic, |
| the first night of Hanukkah one candle is light, the | | | | wood, silver, gold, and even various animal |
| candle on the far right side of the menorah. It is lit | | | | menorahs such as a dove menorah and elephant |
| by the Shamash candle (also called the server | | | | menorah. |
| candle), which is the candle in the center of the | | | | The menorah is an important Jewish symbol and |
| menorah (the one that is higher than the other | | | | is widely recognized. Many non-Jewish or gentile |
| candles). The Shamash candle is always the candle | | | | people may not be familiar with Jewish history |
| used to light the other candles in the menorah. On | | | | and traditions but they likely know what a |
| each succeeding night of Hanukkah another candle | | | | menorah is. |