Silver Menorah

Vintage Israeli Silver Plated Judaica Menorah 1950c US $115.00

BRAND NEW STAR OF DAVID 925 STERLING SILVER MENORAH PENDANT JUDAICA US $14.35

Menorah Menora Pendant w/ Turquoise gemstone & Necklace, Sterling Silver Jewelry US $47.00

Menorah 12 cm Tribes design Silver Jewish US $17.00

Napkin Holder Menorah Silver 925 Electroforming US $25.00

Judaica - A Gorgeous Silver (not plated) Hanukkah(Menorah) Lamp US $590.00

Vintage Judaica Candle Stick Holder Menorah Candelabra 5 Holders Silver HAZORFIM US $329.90

ISRAEL 1958 SILVER 900 MENORAH COIN 5IL BU 25g. 34MM. US $37.77

Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Menorah with Star of David Jewish Antiqued Finish US $14.66

SILVER 925 PENDANT MAGEN DAVID GOLD MENORAH 10K US $47.14

Sterling Silver Hanukkah Menorah with Curved Body and Orb Candleholders Bier 925 US $1,295.97

JAY STRONGWATER AMAZING FLORA & FAUNA BLUE SILVER MENORAH SWAROVSKI NEW $1650 US $625.00

SILVER 925 PENDANT MAGEN DAVID WITH GOLD MENORAH US $62.22

HANUKKAH Hanging Fabric Heart MENORAH & STARS with SILVER US $4.50

STERLING SILVER CANDELABRA / MENORAH HAIRPIN US $24.99

SILVER 925 PENDANT "STAR OF DAVID" WITH GOLD MENORAH US $47.14

The Hanukkah Menorah - More Than a Jewish Gift

As opposed to the biblical seven-branched menorah used in services of the Holy Temple, the Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, which is lit for the duration of the eight-day, winter holiday of Hanukkah. So from whence does the ninth branch come? The ninth branch is called the shamash, and it is used to ceremonially light the other branches.

From whence comes the divergence in terms amongst Hanukkah menorah and Hanukiah?

Well, in the English-speaking diaspora – that is outside the land of Israel — the lamp is ordinarily called a "Hanukkah menorah," or plainly "menorah" for short, whereas in Modern Hebrew it is called completely a chanukkiyah, and the Hebrew word menorah plainly means "lamp" or "light bulb."

Actually, the term "Chanukkiyah" was coined at the end of the nineteenth century in Jerusalem by the wife of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, widely known and esteemed for reviving the Hebrew language in preparation for the founding of the innovative State of Israel.

A bit of Hanukkah History:

The Festival of Lights, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish revolt versus the Hellenistic, Syrian Seleucid monarchy.

The Seleucid Empire lasted from (312 – 63 BC). It was formed by the eastern conquests of the former Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great.

The Seleucids, underneath Antiochus IV sought to Hellenize the Holy Temple and the nation of Israel and Judea. When Judah and the Maccabees at last crushed the revolt, the Temple had been severely damaged. When they went to rededicate it, they found just sufficient oil left to illumine the place for one day – even though miraculously the lamp burned for eight days

Famous Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, (37 – c.100 AD/CE), is the one responsible for dubbing the holiday, "the festival of lights."

The eight day Festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of the Menorah or Hanukiah. We light one candle on each night of the holiday, in the end progressing to eight on the final night. The candles are placed in the Hanukkah menorah from right to left and kindled from left to right.

Now, the manner of lighting one further and added candle each night follows the sentiment of the House of Hillel, (Hillel was a famous Talmudic rabbi) and this is normally accepted as Jewish law. The House of Shammai (another Talmudic Rabbi, known for his ceaseless disagreement with the House of Hillel and stricter opinions) nevertheless did not concur. He held that eight candles must be kindled the initial night, then seven the second night, and so on down to one candle on the last night. Today, this approach is not commonly followed – if at all.

There is more significance too, to the number eight's incorporation in the Festival of Lights.

According to Rabbi Eliezer Posner:

…In kabbalistic teachings, the number seven symbolizes perfection – perfection that is accomplishable by way of natural means – while eight symbolizes that which is beyond nature and it is (inherently limited) perfection…

…Eight, on the other hand, is symbolic of an entity that is one step above the natural order, higher than nature and it is limitations. That's why Chanukah is eight days long—the mainly outnumbered Maccabees' resolve to battle the Greeks wasn't logical or natural. They drew on reservoirs of faith and courage that are not portion of normative humane nature. They consequently merited a miracle higher than nature – a miracle that lasted eight days – and to commemorate this, we light on Chanukah an eight-branched menorah…

Much the way of Christmas lights, even though not to draw any comparison, the menorah is often displayed in public around Hanukkah time, and that is why a great deal of persons choose to buy for themselves or as Hanukkah Gifts the most gorgeous and intricate silver Menorahs or distinctive handmade Menorahs. In the United States, elected officials on occasion participate in publicly lighting the menorah. The Chassidic Chabad-Lubavitch motion is well-known for public lighting ceremonies, which it has done since a directive from their late Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, back in 1987.

The Hanukkah lights may either be candle flames or oil-fueled. Because the miracle of Hanukkah happened with olive oil – the little cruse of oil which lasted for eight days – an oil menorah is preferable to a candle one, and olive oil is the idealisti fuel. Cotton wicks are often preferent because of the smooth flame that they produce.

As stated before, whenever purchasing an article for use in a mitzvah, such as the Hanukkah Menorah, we want to buy the most pretty one that is within our means. If possible, we want to go for the silver menorah. Beautifying the mitzvah is a way of expressing our appreciation to G‑d, and showing how dearly we hold His commandments –

Electric menorahs are most times employed as well. They are outstanding for display purposes, say to compete with the neighbor's outdoor Christmas tree.

But the Hanukkah lights applied to fulfill the mitzvah must be real flames fueled by, as before mentioned, wax or oil – so as to remind us realistically of the flames in the Holy Temple.

Happy Hanukkah and Happy Menorah Shopping!

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