By Leah Schwartz

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the structure of the hanukkiah: eight flames burning at the same height and a ninth one, the shamash, at a higher height that is used to kindle the other eight. Why do we have this shamash to begin with? Why couldn't we just light the first Hanukkah candle and use that one to light the others?

To answer that question, let's start by looking at the hymn "hanerot halalu" ("these lights,") which is traditionally sung after lighting the hanukkiah. According to the hymn, "Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations."

So the reason we are forbidden to use the a Hanukkah candles itself to kindle another one is because those candles are holy--and their holiness means they are not allowed to serve and practical use. Even using the light of the hanukkiah to read by is forbidden.

It makes sense, then, that we would have to use another candle to light those holy candles on the hannukiah. But why, having used that "helper" candle to light the holy ones, do we display it so prominently? Why isn't it simply thrown away or blown out for later use? Or at the very least, displayed lower down and on the side? Why is the shamash required to be displayed on the hannukiah--and why, in practice, is it almost always in the center and higher than the other, holier candles?

I believe that this decision reveals the Jewish ethic of labor. Sure, holiness is important--but arguably more important is the hard work that gets stuff done. Consider the etymology of the word "shamash." You might think it comes from the same root as "shemesh," or sun, because it high up and bright--but in fact, it comes from a root for "helper." The beadle of a synagogue, who was

not a rabbi or other "esteemed" position but made sure the synagogue ran smoothly--was referred to as the "shamash" in the old country. Perhaps Hanukkah can teach us to understand the person who sweeps the synagogue, who wakes people up in time for services, who maintains the synagogue's dealings as just as important as the synagogue's rabbi--if not even more important.

Let's be inspired by the teachings of Hanukkah to value all types of labor! As our elders have always known, without workers, nothing would get done. Let's fight for a fair wage and just working conditions to honor all laborers just as we honor the labor candle of the shamash.