How many candle holders are on a menorah?
9 The literal translation of Menorah is Candelabra. The most common Menorah is the one with nine branches/candle-holders, used for the Jewish Holiday of Chanukah: eight for the eight days of Chanukah, and one for the Shamash. (The Shamash candle should be slightly higher or lower than the other candles, which should all be in a straight line). In the Tabernacle in the desert and in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem there was a Seven-branch Menorah. The design for that Menorah was transmitted to Moses by G-d,1 and built specifically to be lit in the sanctuary of those edifices. The Chanukah Menorah is not really designed to replicate the Menorah in the Temple, rather to facilitate the celebration of an eight day miracle. You may also occasionally see a five-branched Menorah, especially at the cantor’s stand in a synagogue. This is because it is customary that when the services are being lead by a mourner, five candles should be lit in memory of the deceased.
9 The Hanukkah Menorah During the festival of Hanukkah, a special Hanukkah Menorah, also called a Hanukkiah (or Chanukiah), is lit. The Hanukkah Menorah is a candelabrum with eight branches of equal size that all sit in a row (one for each night of the festival of Hanukkah) and a separate candle holder for the “Shamash.” The Shamash candle is used to light the other eight candles since it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah lights for any purpose other than viewing. When lit, the Hanukkah Menorah should be placed in a front window or by a doorway for all to see. Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah is a joyous occassion. The Hanukkah Menorah is lit to commemorate the Jewish Maccabees’ miraculous victory over the Greek-Syrian army and the one-days-worth of pure oil that miraculously lasted for eight days in the Temple. Jewish families gather around their Hanukkah Menorah during each night of Hanukkah to recite the Hanukkah blessings, kindle the Hanukkah lights, sing Hanukkah songs, play the dreid
