: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship
Illustration of menorah
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The Menorah and Hanukkah
In English, menorah was originally the name for the seven-branched candelabra used in Jewish worship. The nine-branched Hanukkah candelabra is called hanukkiah in Hebrew, but English speakers came to use menorah for this too. The Hanukkah menorah recalls expulsion by Judah Maccabee of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem. Maccabee and his followers sought oil for the temple's menorah so that the sanctuary could be rededicated, but they found only enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, that tiny amount of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. The Hanukkah menorah includes a candle for each day the oil burned, plus the shammes, a "servant candle" that is used to light the others.
Examples of menorah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebFor years, stories circulated about pictures of the Dome of the Rock with a menorah or a Star of David above it.—Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 Open the drawer each night for a new treat and then light the menorah.—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023 Two great rabbis had a dispute about how to light the menorah.—Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2023 The candles are added from right to left, but lit from left to right on the menorah, thus always starting with the newest light.—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2023 The menorah was smashed and its pieces strewn around the area.—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 Gionet also has faced police allegations for damaging a menorah displayed outside the Arizona Capitol and for getting in a scuffle with security at a Scottsdale bar.—The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024 Some have carried back the giant menorah that once topped the synagogue in Netzarim, just south of Gaza City.—Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023 At the start of Hanukkah 2021, Chung posted a photo of the family's menorah on her Instagram Story — marking the start of their twins' first holiday season.—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'menorah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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