A menorah is a specialized candle-holder used by the Jewish people. Two varieties exist: one with seven branches and one with nine branches. The nine-branched variety is used only in relation to the Hanukkah celebration, and is often referred to as a hanukiah. The menorah most often consists of a central stalk with a round base, with either three or four branches curving up from the center on each side.

The menorah is said to represent the burning bush which Moses saw, as related in the Hebrew Bible. Historically there was a menorah used for ritualistic purposes in Jerusalem during the time of the Temple. This menorah burned olive oil, rather than the candles now used in menorahs. The Temple Menorah remains on record until sometime during the sixth century, after it was brought to Constantinople. After that time it vanishes, and it is unknown whether the Menorah still exists or was melted down or otherwise destroyed.

With both varieties of menorah, all but one of the lights are used for a purpose other than providing light. The last light, the shamash, is used both to provide light, and to light the other candles. The seven-branched menorah is still found in many modern synagogues, but no longer serves any ritualistic purpose. It is rather kept for symbolic reasons, and in some synagogues a simpler lamp is used in its stead.

During the season of Hanukkah, the nine-branched menorah, or hanukiah, is used. The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah comes from a story in the Talmud in which the Maccabees were attempting to dedicate the Holy Temple. They were chagrined to find enough oil only for one evening, but went ahead with the dedication anyway, and miraculously the small amount of oil lasted for a full eight days. The celebration of Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, with a new candle lit on each evening. The candles of the Hanukkah menorah are lit from the left to the right.

There is some speculation that the original Menorah used straight branches rather than the curved branches often seen today. Some contemporary menorahs attempt to duplicate this appearance. Given visual representations on artifacts such as the Arch of Titus in Rome, various engravings, and coins released B.C.E, it is likely that the straight-branched Menorah is apocryphal, and derived from a specific reading of Maimonides.

The traditional prayer used when lighting the menorah at Hanukkah is as follows:

Ba-ruch ata, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu, me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mits-vo tov, ve-tsi-va-nu le-had-lik neir shel Chan-nu-kah.

Ba-ruch ata, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu, me-lech ha-o-lam,she-a-sa ni-sim las-a-vo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim ba-ze-man ha-zah.

Ba-ruch ata, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu, me-lech ha-o-lam, she-he-chya-nu ve-ki-ya-ma-nu ve-hi-gi-a-nu las-man-ha-zeh.