hanukiah

Hanukiah is a nine-branched candelabrum used to celebrate Hanukkah. It holds eight candles, one for each night of the festival, plus a ninth candle, the shamash, used to light the others. The hanukiah is commonly placed in a window or doorway to publicize the holiday’s miracle.

The term hanukiah comes from Hebrew and means “the Hanukkah lamp.” It designates the special menorah used for Hanukkah. While the word menorah is sometimes used for the eight-branched lamp of Hanukkah, hanukiah specifies the nine-branched ritual object.

During Hanukkah, candles are added to the hanukiah from right to left and lit from left to right, so the newest candle is lit first each night. A blessing is recited before lighting on each night; on the first night a third blessing, Shehecheyanu, may be added if one is celebrating Hanukkah for the first time that year. On nights two through eight, two blessings are typically recited: the blessing over the candles and the blessing thanking God for sanctifying us and commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. The shamash candle is lit first and used to ignite the other candles, and it is often set apart from the eight main candles.

Hanukiah designs vary widely and may be made of metal, glass, ceramic, wood, or other materials. Electric menorahs are also common in public or decorative settings. The practice originated to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt, and it emphasizes the miracle associated with the eight-day oil supply.