What is a menorah?
A menorah is a candelabrum used in Jewish worship, especially during Hanukkah. It is usually made of brass, bronze, or silver, and has seven branches.
What is the significance of seven branches?
The seven branches of the menorah represent the seven days of creation in the Bible. The six branches stand for the six days of creation, and the center branch represents the seventh day or Sabbath.
Why are there nine branches on a Hanukkah menorah?
Unlike the traditional menorah, a Hanukkah menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah, has nine branches. The eight branches represent the eight days of Hanukkah, and the center branch, called the shamash, is used to light the other branches.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was profaned by the Syrian-Greek forces. The story goes that a miraculous supply of oil burned for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights.
What are the traditions associated with Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah, Jewish families light the menorah every night for eight nights, recite special prayers, exchange gifts, and eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot. Children also play with a spinning top called a dreidel, which has four Hebrew letters on it that represent the phrase “a great miracle happened there.”
