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The Temple Menorah
The original menorah of the Tabernacle is described in great detail in the book of Exodus (25: 31-40). Created from one single piece of gold, it had “six branches protruding from its sides; three branches from one side and three branches from the other side” (Exodus 25:32). Six cups adorned each branch, with the seventh atop the main base.
Every morning, the Kohanim (priests) would clean out the cups and refill them with a fresh supply of pure olive oil and wicks.
The Chanukah Menorah
The menorah used during the holiday of Chanukah comes to remind us of the ones of the Tabernacle and first and second Temples. The Gemara, (Shabbat 21,) describes the miracle that took place when the Hasmonean Maccabees and their small Jewish army, beat the ruling Greeks and drove them out of the holy Beis Hamikdash (Temple) which had been turned into a pagan place of worship. The gemara goes on to describe how, after the forces of Antiochus IV had been driven from the Temple, the Maccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. They found only one, single container with the High Priest’s seal, with enough oil to keep the menorah in the Temple lit for only one day. Miraculously, that oil burned for eight days, allowing them to make new oil in the interim.
The holiday of Chanukah was established the year following the miracle; a constant reminder to the Jewish nation that G-d is always with them. After the destruction of the second Temple, the Sages passed a decree prohibiting replicas of the seven branched menorah which had adorned the Beis Hamikdash (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 24a, Avoda Zara 43a) and only eight branched menorahs (plus one shamash) are used ever since.
Laws of the Chanukah Menorah
While many types of Chanukah menorahs are permitted, one should make an effort to obtain the nicest possible (Mishne Brura 674/28). Fifteen levels of preference are brought down; ranging from gold, and then silver as best, and ending with nut shells and tree bark. (Pishkei Teshuvos vol 485) So too, the lights themselves range from the ideal pure olive oil, to wax candles. While most menorahs originating in Mediterranean countries have always used olive oil or other vegetable oils, candles became popular in Northern Europe in the seventeenth century.
The Menorah in Jewish Art
Already by the third century, the Chanukah menorah was a favorite of Jewish craftsmen. They decorated them as both artistic expression as well as a symbol of religious pride and perseverance.
Because of its patriotic symbolism as well as beauty, menorahs are, and always have been, popular display pieces in the Jewish home. Every region of the world has produced its own unique style and many can be dated according to style and design.
Moroccan menorahs can be dated to the early centuries, but due to their custom of retaining the styles of previous generations, dating is difficult. Similar designs carried through till the twelfth century.
The earliest surviving identifiable menorahs as Franco-German and date between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Made of bronze, their triangular back-plates generally display a Gothic rose window design. Relatively few survive, and these are extremely rare.
Hadad Menorah
What better way to celebrate the 'festival of lights' than to have our family and friends standing around to light the traditional menorah.
The magnificent selection of Hadad chanukiot is huge, ranging from the modern to the traditional, back wall or chabad style. From the smallest chanukiah, approximately 14 cm high, to the largest, standing at 1.80 meters tall, all are made from 925 sterling silver. Our attention to detail is truly exquisite, and our selection is second to none!