shamash

E53924

Shamash is the helper candle on a Hanukkah menorah used to light the other candles each night of the festival.


Statements (41)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Hanukkah candle
candle
ritual object
alternativeSpelling shammash
shammes
associatedWith Festival of Lights
Jewish ritual practice
lighting Hanukkah candles
category Jewish ritual object
religious candle
countingRule not counted among the eight primary Hanukkah lights
distinctFrom eight primary Hanukkah candles
etymology derived from Hebrew word meaning "attendant" or "servant"
function to light the other Hanukkah candles
halachicStatus distinguishes sacred Hanukkah lights from ordinary use
may be used for practical light
lightingMethod hand-held to light other candles
lightingOrder lit before the other Hanukkah candles
used to kindle the other candles after blessings
material oil
paraffin
wax
partOf Hanukkah menorah
chanukiah
positionInMenorah often higher than the other candles
separate from the other eight candles
sometimes lower or offset from the other candles
quantityPerMenorah one per menorah
religiousTradition Judaism
requires separate holder on the menorah
role helper candle
symbolism assistance
separation between holy and ordinary light
service
usedDuring Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony
eight nights of Hanukkah
usedIn Hanukkah
Hanukkah menorah
usedToLight Hanukkah candles
festival lights
usedWith blessings over Hanukkah lights

Referenced by (5)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Shamash ("shammes")
Shamash ("shammash")
alternativeSpelling
Hanukkiah ("shamash should be higher or lower than the other lights")
designRequirement
Hanukkah
hasCentralCandle
Hanukkiah
hasPart

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