How many candles are on a menorah?

Answer 1

Everyone has answered in regards to a hannukiah which is the "Menorah" used at Hannukah. It does have 9 lamps total (including the Shamash). Technically it should not be called a Menorah.

The Menorah mentioned in the Bible has 7 lamps. You will read this in Exodus 25:31-40 "[31] You shall make a Menorah of pure gold...[37] and you shall make 7 lamps for it...." It was hammered out of one lump of gold.

It has the Shamash lamp in the middle with 6 lampstands branching out from the sides. Compare with the 7 Spirits in Isaiah 11:2.

Answer 2

9

Answer 3

9

Answer 4

9

Answer 5

In the Talmud
The miracle of Hanukkah is described in the Talmud. The Gemara, in tractate Shabbat 21b [1], says that after the occupiers had been driven from the Temple, the Maccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. They found only a single container that was still sealed by the High Priest, with enough oil to keep the Menorah in the Temple lit for a single day. They used this, and miraculously, that oil burned for eight days (the time it took to have new oil pressed and made ready).

The Talmud presents three customs:

Lighting one light each night per household,
One light each night for each member of the household, or,
The most pious method, where the number of candles changed each night.
There was a dispute over how the last option was to be performed: either display eight lamps on the first night of the festival, and reduce the number on each successive night; or begin with one lamp the first night, increasing the number till the eighth night. The followers of Shammai favored the former custom; the followers of Hillel advocated the latter. As is the case in most such disputes, Jews today follow Hillel. Except in times of danger, the lights were to be placed outside one's door or in the window closest to the street.

Josephus believed that the lights were symbolic of the liberty obtained by the Jews on the day that Hanukkah commemorates. Rashi, in a note to Shabbat 21b, says their purpose is to publicize the miracle. Hanukkah is also mentioned in the (older) Mishnah (TB Megillah 30b).

Kindling the Hanukkah Lights
The primary ritual, according to Jewish law and custom, is to light a single light each night for eight nights. As a universally-practiced "beautification" of the mitzvah, an additional candle is added each night, for a total of thirty-six over the course of eight nights.[7]

Answer 6

What kind of menorah?

Assuming you mean a Hanukkah one...There are nine, one for each night of Hanukkah (8), and one that lights the other candles, called the Shamash.

Answer 7

There are 9 candles on it with the tallest being in the middle. :)

Answer 8

8. but 9 if u count the one thats the tallest

Answer 9

8 the 9th one (which is the tallest) doesnt count because it is used to light the other candles