From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
To: "Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 1997 03:53:21 +0000
Subject: What is a Menorah / Chanukia ?
heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com wrote:
>
> From Noma Wyllson
> To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
>
> Subject: menorah
>
> Eddie:
>
> Please explain what a menorah is. what color candels it has,
> when they are lit, ect.
>
> Thanks
>
> ****************************************************************
>
From: "Rabbi Michael 'Mordecai' Silver" <treelife@zianet.com>
Reply-to: treelife@zianet.com
Organization: Etz Chayim - Tree of Life Messianic Jewish Congregation
To: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Subject: What is a Menorah?
REPLY: The Menorah is the lamp that was used in the Tabernacle and in
the Temple. It has seven branches. The Chanukiah is the lamp used only
for the celebration of Chanukkah and has nine branches. The Chanukiah
uses different color candles to celebrate the holiday of freedom for the
Jewish people and the re-dedication of the Temple after the desecration
by the Romans.
--
Rabbi Michael Silver (Rav Mordecai Ben-Baruch)
Etz Chayim - Tree of Life Messianic Jewish Congregation
P.O. Box 364, Organ, NM 88052 (near sunny Las Cruces)
Phone or Fax: 505-382-0193
e-mail: treelife@bigfoot.com or treelife@zianet.com
http://www.zianet.com/treelife
********************************************************************
From: Rabbi Yehoshua M. Othniel
To: <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Subject: What is a Menorah?
The menorah is a seven branched candlelabrum which stood in the Holy
Temple of Jerusalem. The Chanukiah is a special eight branched
menorah which has a ninth candle place for what is called in Hebrew a
Shamash, or servant candle.
When the Jewish people defeated the Syrian-Greek army and
rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem they naturally wished to
kindle the menorah which stood in the Temple but there was one small
problem. The only undefiled oil that could be found to be used in the
menorah was only enough for one day. The priests decided to use it
and so they poured the oil into the menorah and lit it. A great miracle
occured in that although the oil was only enough to last but a single
day, it lasted and continued to burn for eight days.
To commemorate this great miracle and the miracle of the Jewish
defeat over the Syrian-Greeks, the extra-biblical holiday of Chanukah
was created. In memory of the miracle of the menorah, a special
menorah called a Chanukiah was created and this is the origin of
this special candlelabrum of today.
Modern Chanukiot may be oil burning, candle burning or even
electric. I have seen candles of all colors and sizes. I prefer the
multiple color boxes of Chanukah candles myself as they help to
make the holiday more festive.
On the eve of Chanukah, the Shamash candle is lit first and it is
used to light the other candle(s). One candle is added each night until
all eight candles are present and lit. Special blessings are said as the
candles are lit which remind us of the victory over our enemies, the
miracles of Chanukah, and in general to give thanks and praise to our
G-d. The Chanukah lights are always kindled left to right. Also the
Chanukiah is usually placed near a window or a door so it's light can
be seen by passers by on the street.
I hope this answers your questions.
Happy Holidays,
Rabbi O.
__________________________________
Rabbi Yehoshua M. Othniel
Kehilat Ami Echad
P.O. Box 1452
Independence, KS 67301, U.S.A.
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