Since we are in the time of the celebration of Hanukkah (ˈhä-nə-kə) (also spelled Chanukah or Hanukah), I think it is fun to look at a distinction between a menorah used in the temple and a menorah used during Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days starting on 25 Kislev on the Jewish calendar. This year that translates to November 28 – December 6.
The Menorah (mə-ˈnȯr-ə) was created under the leadership of Moses according to instructions in Exodus 25:31-40. It was carried as part of the furniture in the Tabernacle as the Hebrews wandered in the desert for 40 years. It was placed in the Temple when it was built by Solomon. It has been rebuilt by the Temple Institute which is creating the furniture to be placed in the Temple when it is rebuilt.
Please note the seven lamps. I cannot find confirmation for this, but I believe the seven lamps remind us of the days when God created the world and then rested.
When walking in the Old City of Jerusalem it is an awesome sight. You can get an idea of the size by looking at the people nearby in the picture. My response when I saw it was “Wow!
Hanukkah is the celebration of the time the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee and his four brothers, took back the temple from the Greeks/Syrians. The temple was cleansed. A consecrated oil was used in the menorah, but the Maccabees could only find enough consecrated oil to light the menorah for one day. A miracle occurred because the one-day worth of oil lasted for eight days during which more oil could be consecrated.
Hanukkah is the one Jewish festival not in the Bible because the events occurred during the time between the Old and New Testaments.
The Hanukkiah (hanukki-ah) is a modern term for the variation of menorah. It holds eight candles plus a helper candle which lights the rest. The eight candles represent the eight days the oil lasted until new oil could be consecrated. On the first day of Hanukkah, the helper candle is used to light just one candle. An additional candle is lit each night.
