Illustration of menorah
: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship
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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 Web
Also on display is a menorah of shell casings and barbed wire, reminiscent of concentration camp fences, Halpyrn said.
—
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Hundreds gathered Wednesday for the lighting of a new menorah in its place.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for menorah 
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Hundreds gathered Wednesday for the lighting of a new menorah in its place.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for menorah
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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Cite this Entry
“Menorah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menorah. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
menorah
noun
me·no·rah
mə-ˈnȯr-ə 
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship
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