32 | DECEMBER 22 • 2022

CHANUKAH

A brief history of the Chanukah
menorah, plus stunning
examples through the years.

Come Light the
Menorah

LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This Art Deco
Brass Menorah from
Germany, is avail-
able at Sotheby’s for
$5,000. Sothebys.
com.

Wisconsin-based artisan Lizzie Katz’s
years of exploration into 2D to 3D
digital design process resulted in
the Sculptural Menorah (shown in
Jasper). All of the arms branch from
the same sheet as metal, just as
“the Jewish people share a common
origin.” Lizziekatz.com.

This hand-painted (of
course) ceramic Nail
Polish Menorah is
from Rite Lite, found
by Holocaust survivor
Jacob Rosenthal
in Ohio in 1949.
Moderntribe.com.

W

e love to celebrate
Chanukah — latkes,
sufganiyot, grab-bag gift
exchanges. Central to the festivities,
of course, is the ritual of lighting
the Chanukah menorah — the
chanukiah.
When reclaiming the Holy Temple
in Jerusalem from Greek rulers
in 165 B.C., the Jews found only
enough oil for one night to light its
seven-branched golden candelabra
(as described in Exodus 25:31-40,
with each branch representing a
day of creation), which stood high
as a central feature in the Temple.
The oil, however, lasted for eight
days, leaving time to find a fresh
supply of oil. This miracle during
the rededication of the Temple is
celebrated during the Festival of
Lights.
The Chanukah (Hebrew for
“dedication”) menorah (Hebrew for
“lamp”) has been lit since the year
following the Temple’s rededication,
as decreed by Judah the Maccabee.
There is no mention of chanukiah
in this decree; nor is it mentioned in

the Torah, as the events happened
after it was written.
It’s uncertain where the tradition
of a Chanukah menorah came
from, but there are documented
examples dating back to the 17th
century. Commemorating, but not
replicating, the Temple’s candelabra,
the chanukiah holds eight candles —
one for each night of Chanukah —
plus the shamash. For the chanukiah
to be kosher, the shamash must be
offset from the other candles, either
higher or lower.
It’s traditional to place the lit
chanukiah at the entrance of the
home or in the window, for all to see
— meant to publicize the miracle of
Chanukah to the outside world, but
also symbolizing the hard-won right
to practice religious freedom without
fear of persecution. For centuries,
Jewish families around the world
have gathered around these treasures
of ritual art, which illuminate our
homes, lives and communities,
serving to shed light on past events
as well as the strength of our own
Jewish commitment.