Hanukkiah: Symbol of Kislev

Exploring the 9-branched menorah used for Hanukkah as the symbol of Kislev

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

In thinking about Kislev, I went right to the dreidel and the hanukkiah.  I decided that if I had to pick one, it’s the hanukkiah. The hanukkiah is the nine-branched menorah that we light on Hanukkah.  Even though we generally just call it a menorah, not all menorahs are for Hanukkah!  The menorah, which is an ancient symbol of the Jewish people is actually seven branched.

If the menorah is considered  “the most central role of all the sacred vessels, for it is the symbol of light,” and a symbol of spiritual illumination — then it’s safe to assume that this is also the role the hanukkiah plays.