Most people are familiar with the Chanukah menorah’s nine branches—one for each night, plus the tall, center branch for the shamash (literally “the attendant”). But have you ever wondered why these menorahs don’t look the same as the famous menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome, or like the one on the official emblem of the State of Israel? Those menorahs, which only have seven branches—three on each side, with one tall, straight branch in the center—are meant to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses and described in Exodus. The seven-branched menorah stood in the Holy Temple and was constructed according to laws put forth in the Torah.
But why seven branches in the first place? Well, there are many theories to explain this. The most popular is that the shape is said to be inspired by the moriah, a plant that typically has seven branches, grows in the Middle East, and has been around since the time of Moses.
A second theory suggests that the seven branches represent the seven heavenly bodies known during antiquity: the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The Jewish historian Josephus alludes to this in the Third Book of his Antiquities of the Jews: “…and as to the seven lamps upon the candlesticks, they referred to the course of the planets, of which that is the number…”
Whatever the reason, the seven-branched “original” menorah should not be confused with the nine-branched Chanukah menorah. For this reason, the latter is often called a chanukiyah, a word coined by the wife of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the man credited with reviving the Hebrew language at the end of the 19th century. It’s especially important not to confuse the two if you plan on purchasing a new menorah this Chanukah—not so much for fear of breaking a law in the Torah, but more out of fear of the look on children’s faces when they discover they’ve been short-changed by two days.
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Where to begin?
1. “Menorah” just means “lamp” in Hebrew.
2. “It’s especially important not to confuse the two if you plan on purchasing a new menorah this Chanukah ….”
You can’t walk into a store and buy a seven-branched menorah today. Nobody uses them for anything, so they aren’t sold anywhere.
3. “not so much for fear of breaking a law in the Torah …”
It’s not mentioned in the Torah anywhere. The events of Chanukah took place long after the events in the Torah.
posted by Genius on 12-14-2009 at 10:34 am
Genius, you can easily buy a seven branch menorah. My non-Jewish husband accidentally bought a pair for my Jewish parents. (Luckily he showed them to me before giving them to them.)
posted by Leah on 12-14-2009 at 12:24 pm
Not all menorahs in Judaism are Chanukah menorahs? Say it aint so! First my neighbor tells me that any random tree you might see at his Christian church AREN’T necessarily Christmas trees- and now this? The internet has been full of shockers lately!
posted by Admiral Byrd on 12-14-2009 at 12:41 pm
When walking through Ikea last week, the candelabra’s were out in full force. I thought it was a bit odd since:
1. I have never noticed them before, and I thought I knew the store well. I got over that eventually though.
2. They only have 7 arms which, as noted above, is not the traditional chanukiyah. I am 100% sure that Ikea was deliberately trying to pass them as Chanukah gear, but it somewhat seemed so.
I should add, some believe a kosher chanukiyah should have the shamash at a different height than the other candles (higher or lower does not matter). The other candles should all be the same height although some think it is fine for them to be on even slant. Lastly, you are supposed to have then nicest chanukiyah you can afford (bling bling). Bling bling.
posted by Strawberry on 12-14-2009 at 2:21 pm
Genius – Way to over analyze.
Also, you can so buy a 7 branched menorah very easily. http://www.amazon.com/UK83918-BRANCH-MENORAH-MAHAGONY-BASE/dp/B001V55XN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1260828806&sr=8-1
posted by gayle on 12-14-2009 at 5:15 pm
Pardon a Shiksa for butting in….but I thought the menorah was about not having enough oil to burn through the holiday…and the oil actually lasting seven days, that being a miracle…hence the seven candles.
Anyone out there want to clue me???
posted by M. Forrest on 12-14-2009 at 8:27 pm
M. Forrest – The city was under siege and there was only enough oil to last day. While a messenger went to get more in a location that was an 8 day trip to and from, a miracle happened and the oil lasted the entire 8 days. That’s here the 8 candles come from. The 9th that makes it a chanukiah instead of a standard menorah is used exclusively to light the others.
There’s more to the story, but that’s the explanation of the length of time.
posted by Sarah on 12-14-2009 at 8:42 pm
The number 7 is used in both the Hebrew scriptures and the Greek Scriptures as a symbol of completeness, like God created the earth in 7 days, or being cursed seven times by seven times. Thats why the Devil’s number is 666, the number 3 is also used to symbolize being complete and 6 is one short of being complete, so Satan is completely incomplete or evil.
posted by Doedina on 12-15-2009 at 12:17 am
Thanks, Sarah…Once I started reading your post it came back to me. I really appreciate you responding.
posted by M. Forrest on 12-15-2009 at 12:51 am
Strawberry – Ikea’s candelabra are referring to the Swedish Christmas tradition of putting candles in the window.
In Eastern Europe, old chanukiyah are often a row of nine small jars, not shaped like a seven-branch menorah at all.
posted by Beth on 12-15-2009 at 9:30 am
Genius and M. Forrest, according to the Jewish Study Bible that I have been reading, the original menorah designed for the tent of meeting – which was designed by instructions given from God (including the Ark of the Covenant) – had seven candles. Since it is considered a sin to copy anything designed for the tent of meeting (which would be considered holy and only for God), no one is allowed to use the seven armed menorah.
posted by yasulh on 12-15-2009 at 9:45 am
Thanks for the clarification on the ikea, Beth. That makes sense!
Also – the story of not having enough oil for more than 1 day in the Temple after it was recaptured, is mostly considered a legend or a myth. The Rabbi’s used this story as a way to describe the great miracle that the Maccabees won back the Temple. The eight days was most likely a belated Sukkot being celebrated as a way to purify the Temple again.
posted by Strawberry on 12-15-2009 at 2:01 pm