shamash
- noun
- /ˈʃɑːmɑːʃ/
- On the first night of Hanukkah, Isabel uses the shamash to light the first candle.
- shamash candle
Examples
-
The shamash, in his capacity as custodian of the synagogue, might have told them that the scholar had asked permission to sleep on the bench and had given him a few coins to buy bread and olives.
Fiction book (1993) -
Tonight Daniel's family would fill their menorah with candles, eight for the eight days of Hanukkah plus the shamash, the helper candle.
Fiction book (1997) -
But the young scholar did not waste words with the shamash, either.
Fiction book (1993) -
The shamash came into the synagogue bringing him a hot drink.
Fiction book (1993) -
The shamash came in with a pan of embers and a hot drink.
Fiction book (1993) -
The shamash looked at Nahman with pity.
Fiction book (1993) -
The menorah was on the walnut sideboard, holding two candles—one for the first night and the special shamash candle to light it with.
Fiction book (2001) -
Tonight Daniel's family would fill their menorah with candles, eight for the eight days of Hanukkah plus the shamash, the helper candle.
-
The menorah was on the walnut sideboard, holding two candles—one for the first night and the special shamash candle to light it with.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Shamash comes from a Hebrew word that means 'servant' or 'attendant'. That's why the shamash is the helper candle on a menorah — it 'serves' the other candles by lighting them.