Where does the menorah come from?

The seven-branched menorah was originally found in the wilderness sanctuary and then later in the Temple in Jerusalem and was a popular motif of religious art in antiquity. An eight-branched menorah modeled after the Temple menorah is used by Jews in rites during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah.

Where is the shamash candle?

the menorah
Step 3: Light the Shamash The candle that is raised or in the center of the menorah is the shamash (helper candle). It’s the one you use to light the other candles.

Why is there a 9 branch menorah?

The defining characteristic of a Hanukkah menorah is eight lights in a row, with a ninth lamp off to the side or above, separated from the other eight. The ninth lamp is called a shamash, a “servator,” and it symbolically differentiates the eight holy flames from other, mundane light sources.

What is the Shamus candle?

The shamash or shammus is the “helper candle”. It is the ninth candle for the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah/Chanukiah. It is lit before the prayers are said and the other candles are lit. The color of the candle used for the shamash may also be different from the other candles.

When was the first menorah found?

2,000 years ago
Israeli archaeologists have uncovered one of the earliest depictions of a menorah, the seven-branched candelabra that has come to symbolize Judaism, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Friday. The menorah was engraved in stone around 2,000 years ago and found in a synagogue recently discovered by the Sea of Galilee.

Where is the menorah?

Although the menorah was placed in the antechamber of the Temple sanctuary, over against its southernmost wall, the Talmud (Menahot 98b) brings down a dispute between two scholars on whether or not the menorah was situated north to south, or east to west.

Who is Shamash in the Bible?

Shamash was the son of Sin. Shamash, as the solar deity, exercised the power of light over darkness and evil. In this capacity he became known as the god of justice and equity and was the judge of both gods and men. (According to legend, the Babylonian king Hammurabi received his code of laws from Shamash.)

Why is the shamash higher?

The shamash always sits a bit higher or lower than the rest of the candles so as to not get confused with the others. The candles are placed on the menorah from right to left, the same direction in which one reads Hebrew.

Where is the real menorah?

What was the original menorah made out of?

pure gold
It was to be fashioned from one piece of pure gold. Other parts of the menorah would also be made of pure gold, including the snuff dishes and tongs. According to Exodus 27:20-21, the menorah was to be lit using pure olive oil and burn from evening until morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC1YhTkJfFs