shammes

Temple's maintenance person

A shammes is the caretaker or sexton of a synagogue, responsible for maintaining the building and assisting with services.

The word also refers to the auxiliary candle used to light the other candles on a Hanukkah menorah—it serves the others rather than being counted among the eight.

Also spelled shamus or shamash.

synagogue

sexton

Church building caretaker

caretakerOne who maintains property
beadleChurch ceremonial assistant
shulJewish house of worship

minyan · bimah · ark · rabbi · cantor · aliyah · siddur · shamash · usher · custodian

menorah

candle

Wax stick with wick

lighterComparative of not heavy
wickFuel-drawing cord
flameBurning gas made visible

Hanukkah · eight nights · kindling · illumination · oil · shamash · beeswax · glow · light

Opposites

synagogue hierarchy

shammesrabbi

Jewish spiritual leader

rebbe · cantor · kohen · congregant · rosh yeshiva

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G