Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Among the Jews, especially in Russia and the Orient, one of the officers of the synagogue. In the United States the duties of the shammash have been curtailed and are now almost the same as those of a sexton, beadle, or janitor in Christian places of worship.
Etymologies
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Examples
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In the Hanukkah ritual, there is a candle called the shammash, the "helper candle."
Rabbi Barry A. Kenter: Hanukkah: Not Quite The Jewish Christmas Rabbi Barry A. Kenter 2011
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As the shammash touches each successive candle, the flame from the helper merges with as yet unlit candle; the flame rises higher.
Rabbi Barry A. Kenter: Hanukkah: Not Quite The Jewish Christmas Rabbi Barry A. Kenter 2011
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On each of the nights of Hanukkah, the shammash is used to kindle the lights for each successive night.
Rabbi Barry A. Kenter: Hanukkah: Not Quite The Jewish Christmas Rabbi Barry A. Kenter 2011
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The ninth candle is the "leader (or shammash-servant) candle," that is, the candle used to light the others, one candle each night for eight nights.
magic-city-news.com 2009
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