shammes

Or sha·mes

[shah-muhs]

noun

plural

shammosim 

1. sexton.

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