Every household has a shammes or two.
A shammes is a servant, of course, or sexton and gabbai in the synagogue — variably also written as shammas, shammes, shames, shamus, shamasim, shammos, etc. in Yiddish but invariably, I gather, שמש (shamash) in Hebrew.
The household shammes, in any event, is the ninth and serving candle used to light the other eight in succession on the menorah for Hanukkah. Next to the candles and latkes, how about a serving of electronic greetings?
›› Chanukah remembers the Maccabees victory. It is a holiday of lights and gifts, and Hanukkah is also a holiday of great greeting cards.


The Shammas (according to the Bible) is the Messiah Jesus. who came as God’s Servant. HE is the Light of the world.
So glad to see t hat someone remembered Hanukkah!
Thanks for the info on the Shammes..you were right on!
Happy Holiday!
Robin in Israel
Thanks so much for remembering Hanukkah!
Your definition of a “Shammes” is totally correct..
Happy Holiday!
Robin in Israel