Are you about to buy a seven branch menorah for Hanukkah? To light Hanukkah candles you need a nine branch menorah, called a hanukkiah, with eight lights in a straight row at equal height and a ninth light, the shamash, set apart from the others.
Check the branch count first. After that, choose by size, material, fuel and the place where the menorah will stand.
This guide walks through each of those points and shows the menorahs and related items available at The Israel Store.
What is the difference between a menorah and a hanukkiah?
Menorah is the Hebrew word for lamp. In the Bible it refers to the seven branch golden lampstand that stood in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The seven branch menorah is also the emblem of the State of Israel.
The Hanukkah lamp is called a hanukkiah in modern Hebrew. Most English speakers call it a menorah or a Hanukkah menorah. It has eight lights for the eight nights of Hanukkah, plus one holder for the shamash.
A seven branch menorah is a meaningful display piece for a home or office. It cannot be used to light Hanukkah candles. Read more in what the menorah really means.
Why does a Hanukkah menorah have nine branches?
Hanukkah lasts eight nights, and one more light is added each night. By the eighth night, all eight holders are lit.
The ninth branch holds the shamash, or helper candle. You use it to light the other candles, and its light can be used for practical purposes, while the eight Hanukkah lights are only for looking at. Our guide on why the menorah has nine branches covers the history in detail.
What makes a Hanukkah menorah kosher?
Jewish law sets a few clear requirements for a menorah used for the mitzvah of lighting. Check every menorah against this list before you buy it.
- Eight lights stand in a straight line. A circular arrangement is not acceptable.
- All eight lights sit at the same height, so no single light stands above the others.
- The holders are spaced far enough apart that the flames stay separate and do not melt each other's wax.
- The shamash is set apart from the row. Many menorahs raise it above the others, and some place it to the side or in front.
- The menorah uses a real flame from oil or wax candles. Electric bulbs do not fulfill the mitzvah.
What size menorah should you buy?
Choose the size by where the menorah will stand. A compact tabletop menorah fits a windowsill or a small side table. A larger menorah suits a dining table or a stand placed in a doorway.
Check that the candle cups fit standard Hanukkah candles, which are thinner than Shabbat candles. On Friday you need larger candles that burn longer, so cups with some extra room are useful.
A menorah lit in a window should sit no higher than about 29 feet above street level, so people outside can see it.
Which material is best for a menorah?
Brass and silver are the traditional choices. They handle heat well and their weight keeps the menorah stable. Silver plated pieces need occasional polishing to keep their finish.
Glass and ceramic menorahs work well with oil cups. Thin glass can crack from heat, so choose thick glass or use a menorah with removable cups.
Wood menorahs are attractive for display. For lighting, a wood menorah must have metal candle cups or inserts so the flame never touches the wood.
For children, look for a low and stable menorah made of metal or ceramic that they can light under adult supervision.
Should you use oil or candles in your menorah?
Olive oil with cotton wicks is the preferred choice in Jewish law, because the Hanukkah miracle centered on the oil of the Temple menorah. Beeswax and ordinary paraffin candles are fully acceptable.
Oil requires a menorah built for oil cups, along with wicks and a funnel or prefilled cups. Candles are easier to set up, so most families with young children start with a candle menorah.
Buy enough candles for the full holiday. Eight nights with a shamash each night require 44 candles in total.
Where should you place your menorah safely?
The menorah is lit to publicize the miracle. Many families place it in a window facing the street. Others place it in a doorway on the side opposite the mezuzah, which is the Chabad custom.
Ashkenazi custom is for each member of the household to light a menorah, so many Ashkenazi families buy one menorah for each child. Sephardi custom is for one menorah per household, so one well made menorah is enough.
Place the menorah on a fire resistant tray on a stable surface away from curtains. Small children should not be able to reach it, and lit candles should never be left unattended.
Which menorahs does The Israel Store carry?
Both menorahs The Israel Store carries today are seven branch designs for display.
- Traditional Star of David Menorah, $29.50. A gold colored menorah standing 6.7 inches (17 cm) tall with a Star of David at its center, made for celebrations and home display. It has seven branches in the style of the Temple menorah, so it is a display piece and cannot be used for Hanukkah lighting.
- Authentic Judaica seven branch brass menorah, $29.50. A brass menorah standing 6.7 inches (17 cm) tall in the classic seven branch design of the Temple menorah. Buy it for display in a home or office, and use a nine branch menorah for Hanukkah lighting.
- Hanukkah Menorah Acrylic Ornament, $12.50. An acrylic ornament printed with a lit menorah and holiday lights, a small gift for one of the eight nights.
- Mezuzah with Menorah and Priestly Breastplate Design, $9.50. A 9 cm mezuzah case showing a menorah, the priestly breastplate and the letter Shin. Add a kosher scroll from a certified scribe before you mount it.
The Israel Store processes orders in 1 to 3 business days. US delivery usually takes 5 to 10 business days, and international delivery takes 7 to 21 business days. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, so order by mid November. Returns are accepted within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a menorah the same as a hanukkiah?
A hanukkiah is the nine branch menorah used on Hanukkah. The word menorah alone often refers to the seven branch lamp of the Temple.
How many candles does a Hanukkah menorah hold?
A Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, eight for the nights of the holiday and one for the shamash. The full holiday uses 44 candles.
Does the shamash have to be higher than the other candles?
The shamash must be set apart from the eight lights. Raising it higher is the most common way, and placing it to the side or in front is also acceptable.
Can a seven branch menorah be used for Hanukkah?
A seven branch menorah cannot be used for Hanukkah lighting. You need eight lights in a row plus a shamash.
Can I use an electric menorah?
An electric menorah does not fulfill the mitzvah. Use oil or wax candles for the lighting and keep the electric menorah as a decoration.
Where should I put my menorah?
Place it in a window facing the street or in a doorway opposite the mezuzah. Choose a stable, heat resistant surface away from anything flammable.
When you have checked the branch count and the height of the lights, see every option in The Israel Store menorah collection and more Jewish ritual items in the Judaica collection.
