How to Choose a Menorah for Hanukkah: 5 Advanced Tips

Designed menorah? Modern menorah? Unique or simple and classic menorahs? How do you know if the menorah is kosher? How to choose a menorah for Hanukkah – the perfect guide

The Hanukkah holiday, the festival of light and miracle, accompanies us throughout the nine days of candle lighting ceremonies, each family in its own way. Although this holiday is here to stay, there is one thing that wouldn’t hurt to know: how to choose a menorah perfectly designed! It’s definitely not an easy task, with so many styles of menorahs, materials, and designs to overcome and choose from. That’s why we decided to lay everything out on the table and help.

1. What are the different types of menorahs?

When the variety is so wide, what options really exist? Let’s dive into the world of the menorah:

• Metal menorahs: These are durable menorahs, capable of lasting many years. Metal can be shiny or matte, and its combination with candlelight creates a stunning image.
• Glass menorahs: These menorahs have a unique design that provides a sense of refinement and luxury. However, it is important to be careful not to accidentally break them.
• Wooden menorahs: Wood brings warmth and character to the place. Wooden menorahs can be designed in a classic or modern style, according to your personal taste.
• Ceramic menorahs: Suitable for those who love unique and colorful finishes. Each menorah is a work of art in and of itself!

2. How to choose a menorah – important considerations

So what really matters when you’re considering which menorah to buy? Here is a list of important parameters:

• Personal style: Do you prefer a traditional, modern, or maybe something in between style? After all, the menorah is also a jewel for your home.
• Lighting location: Where will you light the candles? Some menorahs are designed to be displayed on the table, others on the wall. According to Jewish law, you can light at the window or inside the house, and some are stringent and light specifically at the window or door facing the street. This article does not have the scope to detail all the specifics.
• Size: How much space do you have? Do you need a small or large menorah?
• Materials: It’s important to understand the maintenance required for the menorah. Different materials may require different care.

Common question: What is the quality standard?

It seems we all often encounter cheap menorahs online. Are they of good quality? The answer is: not always. Be sure to purchase a quality menorah from a reliable source.

3. Designed menorahs with a message – what does that mean?

Nowadays, more people are turning to designed and unique menorahs with a personal message, menorahs that reflect authentic Jewish culture. Menorahs with a message offer not only light but also a connection to heritage and values. Maybe you will find a designed menorah that tells a story?

4. What is the name of the item that holds the middle candle in the center of the menorah?

Well, everyone calls it the ‘shamash’ – it is the additional candle that is always lit in the center of the Hanukkah menorah. It is meant to protect us in case we used the Hanukkah candle, so that we do not fail in using the holy candles themselves, since “we are not permitted to use them except to look at them only.”

An important question: How many candles are lit each day?

On the first day, one candle is lit, and throughout the holiday, another candle is added each day, meaning on the second day two candles, and so on until on the eighth day eight candles are lit, to count the number of days the miracle occurred. That is, we light one candle on the first day to show there was a one-day miracle, two on the second day to show the miracle lasted two days, and so forth… to indicate the extension of the miracle, and of course all this is apart from the shamash.A well-known and interesting question – why are Hanukkah candles lit for eight days when the miracle actually lasted only seven days? (Since the oil for the first day was already in the pure oil container).

There are several explanations for this question – some say the first day is designated as a thanksgiving for the miracle of winning the war and not for the miracle of the oil, because on the first day there was still natural oil. Others say the first day marks the miracle of finding the flask that was not contaminated.
And some say the oil was divided into eight portions, and according to this, even on the first day there was a miracle that the small amount of oil burned for a whole night.

By the way, one must know that the Hanukkah menorah is not a replica of the Menorah that was in the Temple – the Hanukkah menorah has 8 branches plus one for the shamash, whereas the Temple Menorah had only 7 branches. On the contrary, it is forbidden to make a Menorah like the one in the Temple with 7 branches (as explained in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah, siman 161, se’if 5), and therefore one should not buy such a Menorah.

Indeed, there are several ways permitted to make a Menorah with 7 branches:

A. The prohibition applies specifically to a menorah made of metal, but if it is made of wood, clay, or any other material – it is permitted (Shulchan Aruch there and S’k 30).

B. The prohibition applies specifically if the menorah has a central stem, but if it does not have a central stem – it is permitted (Sefer Darkhei Teshuva, small section 56).

C. Some decisors hold that the entire prohibition is specifically for a menorah that has an oil reservoir to light oil candles, but for a menorah made for wax candles or an electric menorah that does not have a reservoir – it is permitted, and one can be lenient according to their view (Shut Yechaveh Da’at, part 3, siman 61).

5. In summary – not only a menorah, but also a saying

When choosing a menorah for Hanukkah, you should think about which style of menorah you like and want. A designed menorah is not just a decorative item for the home, but it carries values, stories, and experiences. Every menorah has a personal message, or a family story, or evokes memories from the past.