shammes
/ˈʃɑməs/
noun
- The candle used to light the other candles on a Hanukkah menorah.
- She carefully held the shammes and passed its flame to each of the eight candles.
- The shammes sits in the center of the menorah, slightly higher than the rest.
- Every night of Hanukkah, we light the shammes first and use it to kindle the other candles.
- A sexton or caretaker of a synagogue.
- The congregation thanked the shammes for his years of dedicated service to the synagogue.
- The shammes arrived early to open the synagogue and prepare for the morning service.
- As shammes, he was responsible for keeping the Torah scrolls in good condition.