shammes

or sha·mes

[ shah-muhs ]

noun

, plural sham·mo·sim [shah-, maw, -sim].

1. sexton ( def 2 ).
2. the candle used to kindle the candles in the Hanukkah menorah.

shammes

/ ˈʃɑːməs; ʃaˈmaʃ /

noun

1. an official acting as the beadle, sexton, and caretaker of a synagogue
2. the extra candle used on the Feast of Hanukkah to kindle the lamps or candles of the menorah

Word History and Origins

Origin of shammes¹

1945–50; < Yiddish shames < Hebrew shammāsh server, attendant

Word History and Origins

Origin of shammes¹

from Hebrew shāmmāsh, from Aramaic shĕmāsh to serve