On Wednesday, Dec. 1, Jewish families everywhere will celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting a menorah. The traditional menorah is a nine-branch candelabra, but modern menorahs come in all shapes and sizes.

The menorah's design is based on the original seven-branch candelabra that burned continuously in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, says Karen Falk, curator at the Jewish Museum of Maryland.

After a victory in which the Jews retook the temple after it had been desecrated, they relighted the menorah's eternal flame. There was enough consecrated oil to last only one day, but the oil burned for eight. "That's the story, the lore, of the miracle," Falk says.

Menorahs, also known as hanukiahs, have nine candleholders; eight to represent the eight days that the oil burned and one for the shamash (the "helper" or "server"), which is the candle used to light the other candles.

Theoretically, Falk says, the eight lights should be in a straight line and on the same level to symbolize all the days of Hanukkah as being equal. The shamash is generally taller than the rest.

Though menorah options and styles (and price ranges) abound, nothing fancy is required.

"They can be almost anything," Falk says. "You just have to have lights."

- Terri Sapienza, The Washington Post