Oriental Hanukkah Menorah and Shabat Candlesticks CAT# HCS- 3

Oriental Hanukkah Menorah and Shabat Candlesticks CAT# HCS- 3. used as Shabbat candlesticks during the rest of the year it remains closed. Size: open – 10” X 1.3” X 2” closed – 5” X 2.4” X 2". . The Hanukkah Menorah is, strictly speaking, an eight-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, as opposed to the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient Temple or as a symbol. The ninth holder, called the shamash ("helper or servant"), is for a candle used to light all other candles. It is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy. The Jews found only enough ritually pure olive oil to light the menorah for one day, but the supply miraculously lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained. In celebration of this miracle, the chanukkiyah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps, none higher than any other, except for one higher branch for the auxiliary candle, or shamash, which guards against secular use of the other lights and is also used to light them. The common reason for the number of the candles is that they symbolize the eight days of the miracle. Each night an additional light is kindled—one on the first night, two on the second night; and so on—until on the eighth night of Hanukkah all eight candles, plus the shamash, are lit. This is the teaching of the House of Hillel. The House of Shammai teaches to light eight candles the first night, seven the second night, six the third night, and so on all eight nights.A whimsical porcelain Hanukkiah.Many museums have notable collections of Chanukah menorahs, including the Israel Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Jewish Museum, which owns the Lindo lamp.