The
channukiah
is the nine-branched
candelabrum used during
Channukah
, the
festival celebrating the Maccabee victory
over the Seleucids in 2
nd
century before the
common era, and the miracle of the lights.
Jewish tradition recounts that when the
Maccabees recaptured the Temple, they
wanted to resume functions right away and
one of these functions was the daily lighting
of one of the branches of the large 7-armed
golden candelabrum, the
menorah
, that
adorned the original Tabernacle. This
required consecrated oil but, at the time
the Temple was retaken, the amount
available was enough for just one day.
And yet, miraculously, that ampoule
lasted for eight days, the time needed to
consecrate new oil for the
menorah
.
Channukiot
come in many forms. One
model of the
channukiah
is a 9-branched
edition of the candelabrum from the
Temple, the eight branches holding the
candles for the days of the festival, the
ninth holding the
shammash
or assistant,
used to light the others.
Another type is an “L”-shaped unit mounted
on the wall. The candles are inserted in
the protrusions while the decorations were
concentrated on the part set against the
wall.
Channukiot
can be made of a wide range of
materials, from precious metals to simple
wood or brass; in fact, these are common
household objects, their value linked to the
celebration.
Channukiah
Chanukkiah
, XVIII century,
Eastern Europe, brass, branches
with plant motif, 52 x 32 cm,
property of Annalisa Pinter
Top
, XX century, Israel, silver,
property of Luciano Caro
25
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