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The Chanukah Menorah

A brief history of the chanukiah.

Lynne Konstantin I Contributing Writer

M

ost Western Jews learn the story
of the Chanukah miracle as early
as preschool: When reclaiming the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem from Greek rul-
ers in 165 B.C., the Jews found enough oil to
light its candelabrum, which stood high as
a central feature in the Temple, for only one
night. The oil, however, lasted for eight days;
and it is this miracle during the rededication
of the Temple that is celebrated during what
is known as the Festival of Lights, as decreed
by Judah the Maccabee.
But how much do we know about the
symbol of victory over religious oppression
— the menorah? Is it even called a menorah,
or is it a chanukiah? And how far does this
tradition go back?
Technically, a menorah is a seven-
branched candelabra and a symbol of
Judaism and Israel that's older than the
Star of David. The menorah is described in
Exodus, where it says it should be kindled
with "pure, pressed olive oil" and remain
alight from evening until morning.
The menorah is considered by some to be
a physical representation of the Tree of Life
in the Garden of Eden, with seven branches
each representing a day of creation. It also is
the emblem on the coat of arms of the mod-
ern state of Israel.
The chanukiah, is a nine-branched can-
delabra used specifically at Chanukah. For
centuries, Jewish families all over the world
— from North Africa and India to Europe
— have gathered around these treasures of
ritual art, which illuminate our lives, homes
and synagogues, and serve to shed light not
only on past events, but also the strength of
our own Jewish commitment.
The chanukiah holds nine candles, one to
be lit on each of the festival's successive eight
nights, plus one shamash, or "servant:' used
to light the others, as it is forbidden to make
use of the Chanukah lights themselves. And
since the year following the rededication of
the Temple, the Chanukah menorah has been
lit, as instructed by the sages.
"The earliest menorahs date to the 13th
and 14th centuries and are primarily brass
and bronze:' says Michael Ehrenthal, owner
of Moriah Galleries, a New York City dealer
of antique Judaica. "There are also Dutch
ceramic examples from the 1700s:' *

Menorah on page 42

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A circa-1920s silver Tree of Life lamp, made in Germany, at Moriah Galleries.

A contemporary pewter
Chanukah menorah by
Quest Gifts is crafted in

the traditional shape of a
menorah and embellished
with Austrian crystals.

A hand-wrought silver chanukiah, made in

Berlin, circa 1817, at Moriah Galleries.

JN

December 4 • 2014

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