The shamash (or helper) candle is used to light all the other candles.
As to why it's there, one thought is that if a candle blows out, you still have the required number. Also, it's the only candle that can be used in a practical sense, the others cannot be moved out of the menorah.
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Date: 2009-12-12 06:55 pm (UTC)As to why it's there, one thought is that if a candle blows out, you still have the required number. Also, it's the only candle that can be used in a practical sense, the others cannot be moved out of the menorah.