shamash
/ʃɑːˈmɑːʃ/
noun
- The candle or light used to light the other candles on a Hanukkah menorah.
- The shamash sits in the center or at a different height from the other candles.
- Before lighting the menorah, we always light the shamash first.
- Each night of Hanukkah, the shamash is used to light the other candles.
- A sexton or caretaker of a synagogue.
- The shamash made sure the Torah scrolls were stored properly.
- Our synagogue's shamash has been serving the community for over twenty years.
- The shamash unlocked the building early for the morning service.