Bright Traditions of the Menorah
During Hanukkah, menorahs glow warmly in windows all over the world to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Known also as a hanukkiah, this special nine-branched candleholder brings friends and families together for eight nights of games, songs, and tasty treats!
Nine branches: A Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles in all, one for each night of the holiday, plus an extra helper candle called the shamash.
The trusty helper: The shamash usually sits a little higher or off to the side because its job is to light all the other candles, adding one new light for every evening of the celebration.
Order is important: Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, just like Hebrew books are read, but they are lit from left to right so that the newest candle always gets lit first.
The miraculous oil: The holiday remembers a famous ancient story where a tiny jar of oil, only enough to last one day, miraculously kept a lamp burning for eight full days.
Sharing the light: Menorahs are traditionally placed right in front of a window so neighbors and passersby can see the glowing lights shining through the winter darkness.
