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.