Hanukkah Menorah Guide: What It Is and How to Choose One

The Hanukkah menorah is the candelabrum lit on each night of the festival. This guide explains what it is, what it is called, how many lights it holds and how oil, candle and electric styles differ, so you can pick one that suits your home.

What is the Hanukkah menorah?

A Hanukkah menorah has eight lights in a row, one for each night, plus a ninth light set apart from the rest. It is lit during the eight nights of Hanukkah, which in 2026 begin on the evening of December 4. Hanukkah recalls the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the story of the oil that lasted eight days.

What is the candle holder for Hanukkah called?

The Hanukkah candle holder is most often called a menorah, and many people also use the Hebrew word chanukiah (also spelled hanukkiah) for it. The word menorah originally refers to the seven branched lamp of the Temple, so some families use chanukiah to tell the two apart. Both words are in everyday use.

How many candles are in a menorah?

The menorah holds nine lights: eight for the nights of the holiday and one called the shamash, or helper light, which is used to light the others. A single night adds one more light than the night before, so over eight nights you light 36 lights, plus the shamash each night for 8 more, which makes 44 in total across the holiday. You can find boxed sets and shamash lights in our Hanukkah candles and shamash collections.

Types of menorahs

Oil menorahs

Oil menorahs use small glass cups or removable inserts filled with oil and a wick. They come in silver plate, crystal, pewter, brass and tin, and some are strips with fitted glass cups. Oil and wicks are often sold separately, so check what is included. Browse oil menorahs, pre-filled oil cups and wicks.

Candle menorahs

Candle menorahs have holders sized for standard Hanukkah candles. Look at the cup width and depth on the product page so your candles fit. Some menorahs are made for either oil or candles. Start with our Hanukkah menorahs or the silver menorahs.

Electric menorahs

Electric menorahs use LED lights and run on batteries or USB. They are used for windows, offices, dorms and classrooms, and for places where an open flame is not practical. See electric menorahs. If you are unsure which kind of menorah your household should use to light, ask your rav.

How to choose

• Size. Measure the sill or shelf first, and compare the width and height listed on each product page.
• Material. Silver plate and brass suit a traditional table; crystal catches the light; pewter is compact and easy to carry.
• What is included. Check for cups, wicks or a shamash holder.
• Who is lighting. A child or a student may want a smaller second menorah.

Order early

Popular menorahs and supplies sell down as the holiday gets close, so order early and add candles or oil at the same time.