shamash

IPA: ʃˈeɪmʌʃ

Root Word: Shamash

The sun god and god of justice in Babylonia and Assyria, corresponding to Sumerian Utu.
(Judaism) The candle used to light the other eight candles of a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah.
A sexton in a synagogue.

Examples of "shamash" in Sentences

The unlit candle could be the shamash, which is not required for the mitzva, he said.
The menorah has a ninth "helper" flame -- known as the shamash -- used to light the other candles.
The center flame, the "shamash" or servant flame, rises from the base and serves to light the others.
The ninth candle stands apart from the other eight and is called the "shamash," used to light the candles.
So to, if each show in Matisyahu's Festival of Light is it's own unique flame, then the shamash, this opening show, was a helping of pure holiday fire.
The nine-branch Menorah holds eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and a central candle called a "shamash" from which the other eight are lit.
A "shamash" is a servant, usually the person who looks after the synagogue, and there is something about personifying this humble candle as a beadle that amused me as a child.
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival signified by the nine-branch Menorah, which holds eight candles, one for each night, and a central candle called a "shamash" from which the other eight are lit.
So now there are two menorahs in my grandmother's window, one tall silver one that she kindles each night boasting their colors and luminous light, and a small humble brass menorah with 50-year-old orange candles perfectly staged, except for the shamash that is now slightly singed.