Hanuchia din sec. al XVIII-lea. Colecția Albert Herzfeld
Unlike the menorah which has 7 arms, the hanukkiah has 8 plus 1, the shamash, the servant, with whom a candle is lit on the first day, and in the following days one is added, until all eight candles are lit, the duration of the holiday of Hanukkah being 8 days.
The candlestick in the picture is from the 19th century, with oil containers and caps through which the wick was inserted. The shamash is separated, at the top, left. In the middle there is a menorah, a 7-armed chandelier, a mosaic religious object of worship and a consecrated symbol of the state of Israel. It is guarded by two lions. The crown is an ornament frequently used to reveal the significance of the ritual object.
20th century Hanukkieh. Michael Schwartz Collection.
