A menorah is a symbolic lampstand strongly associated with Judaism. In everyday speech, people often call the Hanukkah lamp a “menorah” too—but technically there are two related (yet different) items: the traditional menorah and the Hanukkah lamp, commonly called a hanukkiah.
Menorah vs Hanukkiah (quick difference)
- Menorah: commonly described as the traditional 7-branch lampstand.
- Hanukkiah: the 9-branch lamp used specifically for Hanukkah (8 nights + 1 helper candle).
Why does a hanukkiah have 9 branches?
Hanukkah lasts eight nights. One light is added each night (1, then 2, up to 8). An extra candle—the shamash (“helper/attendant”)—is used to light the others, making the total nine.
What is the shamash?
The shamash is the helper candle. It’s lit first and then used to light the Hanukkah candles. In many designs it sits slightly apart or at a different height to distinguish it.
How are the candles lit?
Each night, one more candle is lit than the night before, so the light increases night by night. Exact customs can vary, but the central idea remains: increasing light.
What do they symbolize?
Beyond the ritual, these lampstands carry meaning: memory, identity, and continuity. The hanukkiah especially highlights the theme of bringing more light into darkness—one night at a time.