What Is the Shamash? The Ninth Candle of the Hanukkah Menorah
A Hanukkah menorah has nine candle holders: eight for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and one for the shamash candle, the helper light with a special role.
But what is the shamash, why is it necessary, and what should you look for when choosing a traditional Hanukkah menorah?
Eight Lights for Eight Nights of Hanukkah
To understand the shamash, it helps to understand the eight Hanukkah lights first.
The Talmud (Shabbat 21b) explains the mitzvah of lighting Hanukkah candles. According to the teaching of Beit Hillel, the number of lights increases each night: one on the first night, two on the second, and eventually eight on the eighth night.
These eight lights recall the miracle of the oil in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Talmud's account (Shabbat 21b), a small container of pure olive oil, sufficient for only one day, miraculously burned for eight days; later tradition, as recorded by the Beit Yosef (Orach Chaim 670), explains that this was the time needed to prepare new pure oil.
The shamash is separate from these eight lights and is never counted as one of the Hanukkah candles.
Why Does a Hanukkah Menorah Need a Shamash?
The Hanukkah lights are intended to publicize the miracle, not to provide ordinary household illumination. The traditional passage known as Hanerot Halalu, recited by many Jewish communities after lighting and found already in Tractate Soferim (20:6), explains that the Hanukkah lights are sacred and that we are permitted only to look at them rather than use their light for everyday activities. The Talmud (Shabbat 22a) adds that even counting money by their light is prohibited.
Because the holiday candles cannot be used for ordinary light, the shamash candle fulfills two distinct roles.
First, the shamash is the kindling candle: it is lit first and used to light the Hanukkah candles for that evening.
Second, the shamash serves as an additional light. According to the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 673:1), an extra light is traditionally kindled and placed slightly apart from the holiday candles, so that if someone benefits from the illumination, it is attributed to the additional light rather than the sacred Hanukkah candles. The Rema records the custom of using the same auxiliary candle from which the others are kindled, made longer so that it is clearly distinguishable.
A hammered aluminum Hanukkah menorah from Amen Judaica - the raised central holder is the shamash.
What Does the Word Shamash Mean?
The Hebrew word shamash (שמש) means attendant or helper, the same word used for a synagogue attendant.
On a Hanukkah menorah, the shamash serves the eight holiday candles. The customary lighting sequence begins by lighting the shamash. The blessings are then recited, and the shamash is used to kindle the Hanukkah candles for that evening: one on the first night, two on the second, until all eight are burning.
It performs the practical work while the eight Hanukkah lights remain dedicated to the mitzvah, which is why it is known as the helper candle.
Why Is the Shamash Higher Than the Other Candles?
One of the easiest ways to recognize a traditional 9 branch Hanukkah menorah is its distinctive shamash holder.
Unlike the eight candle holders arranged in a row, the shamash usually occupies a separate position. In many traditional designs, it stands higher than the other eight holders; in others, it is set to the side.
This arrangement reflects the traditional requirements described in Orach Chaim 673:1, which distinguish the additional light from the obligatory Hanukkah lights.
The eight holiday candles should also be arranged so that each flame can be clearly distinguished. Orach Chaim 671:4 discusses arranging the lights in a straight row rather than in a circle, so that the individual flames remain recognizable.
A classic brass Hanukkah menorah from Amen Judaica - eight lights in a row, the shamash raised apart from them.
These halachic details are not abstract. The position of the shamash, the spacing of the holders, and the clarity of each flame are exactly what you see when choosing a well-designed Hanukkah menorah.
Choosing a 9 Branch Hanukkah Menorah
When choosing a Hanukkah menorah, it is worth paying attention not only to its appearance but also to the arrangement of its nine candle holders.
At Amen Judaica, our collection includes traditional and contemporary Hanukkah menorahs from Israel. Classic brass Hanukkah menorahs feature traditional curved branches and a timeless appearance. Hammered aluminum designs offer a contemporary look, with distinctive textures and elegant finishes. Across the collection, some designs feature a raised central shamash holder, while others set the helper candle apart to one side.
When selecting a menorah, consider:
- The shamash position: Make sure the additional candle holder is clearly distinguished from the eight holiday lights.
- The material: Brass offers a traditional appearance, while hammered aluminum provides a contemporary finish.
- The craftsmanship: Look for a stable base, well-finished details and properly spaced candle holders.
- The design: Choose a style that complements your home and can become part of your family's Hanukkah tradition.
Whether you prefer a classic brass menorah or a hammered aluminum design, the shamash should have its own recognizable place.
A Meaningful Hanukkah Gift from Israel
A Hanukkah menorah is more than a decorative Jewish object. It is something families bring out year after year, creating traditions that connect generations.
For this reason, a 9 branch Hanukkah menorah makes a meaningful gift for weddings, housewarmings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and other special occasions.
A menorah from Israel carries an additional connection to the Jewish homeland and the history of Hanukkah in Jerusalem. Every year, when Hanukkah arrives, it becomes part of the family's celebration once again.
The Shamash: The Candle That Lights the Others
The shamash is kindled first, serves the other candles, and stands apart as a reminder that even a single additional light can bring illumination to many others.
At Amen Judaica, we bring the beauty and tradition of Israel into Jewish homes around the world through our collection of Hanukkah menorahs.
Explore our Hanukkah Menorahs from Israel and discover a design that will become part of your family's Hanukkah celebrations for years to come.
Bring the Light of Israel into Your Home.