▷ How Many Candles In A Hanukkah Menorah?

Hanukkah, commonly known as the Festival of Lights, is a popular Jewish holiday celebrated worldwide. This 8-day holiday involves lighting a special 9-branch lamp called a menorah to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. If you have ever wondered how many candles to place in the menorah, you’re not alone – many people want to learn the answer to this question!

How Many Candles in a Hanukkah Menorah?

A traditional Hanukkah menorah holds 9 candles, 1 of which is called the “shamash” (helper candle) and 8 which are called the “hanukkiyah”. The hanukkiyah symbolizes each of the 8 days that the menorah remained lit in the ancient temple, which is why there are a total of 9 candles in the menorah.

Types of Hanukkah Menorahs

While the traditional menorah includes 8 hanukkiyah candles and 1 shamash, there are also a few different variations of the menorah which have different numbers of candles.

7-Branch Menorah: This type of menorah includes 7 candles in honor of the 7-day holiday of Sukkot.
Sephardic Menorah: Also known as the Shemhamphorash, this type of menorah is typically made with 12 candles in honor of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Modern Menorah: This type of menorah is most popularly used today by different factions of Jews and includes 8 hanukkiyah candles along with an additional modernized shamash.

Order of Lighting the Candles

The Hanukkah menorah should be placed on the left-hand side of the door and lit from left to right. On the first night, the shamash is lit first, followed by the first hanukkiyah and so on until all 8 hanukkiyah are lit. On days 2–7 the menorah is lit in the same order, but beginning with the hanukkiyah on the far right.

The number of candles in a Hanukkah menorah has traditionally been 8, plus the additional shamash. Nowadays there are several different variations of the menorah with different numbers of candles and these can be used instead of the traditional design. In any case, the Hanukkah menorah is used to commemorate the 8 miraculous days of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and is lit from left to right for 8 days.

Whether you plan to light a traditional menorah or a modernized variation, we hope that understanding the basics of the menorah, such as the number of candles and the order of lighting, will help you make sure your Hanukkah celebrations are a success!

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.