Menorah versus Chanukiah
I must admit that it is somewhat confusing to explain the difference between the seven branches and nine branches candelabras.While most people often refer to both as Menorahs the purpose of each one is different.
Bezalel was commissioned to build a seven branch menorah. It symbolizes the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Sinai and the seven days of the week. The Menorah was used in the Temple and is described in great detail in the Torah: Exodus 25:31-40.
Later this symbol was used as the emblem of the state of Israel. Thus we should only use the name Menorah for a seven branched candelabrum.
The candelabrum being used for Chanukah, however, contains nine branches and was created to celebrate the victory over the Greek army.
Only after a long war the Macabees succeeded to enter the Sanctuary where they found only one jar of ritually pure oil that was sufficient to burn only for one day; but they lit the lights of the Menorah from it for eight days, till they pressed olives and extracted additional pure oil. Hence eight branches and one more used as Shamash – to light the other eight.
Today, after the word Menorah has been used for millennia for both lamps: the Menorah as well as the Chanukah lamp, there exists a mix up.
I prefer the term Chanukah menorah, or the Hebrew word, Chanukiah to describe the nine branched one.
