shamashn.

1650 E. Chilmead tr. L. Modena Hist. Rites of Jews x. 31 There is One, that sings out the Prayers lowder than the rest, whom they call Cazan;..These, as well as the Cazan, as the Shamas, have stipends allowed them.

1862 Once a Week 9 Aug. 191/2 The shamas, a kind of curate and clerk combined, brings a glass of wine.

1896 I. Abrahams Jewish Life Middle Ages 8 It was an ancient custom in several places for the Shamash or verger to announce every Saturday the result of law-suits, and to inform the congregation that certain properties were on the market.

1967 C. Potok Chosen i. 27 You should see his father. He's one of Reb Saunders' shamashim.

1973 Jewish Chron. 2 Feb. 26/2 The death of Mr Harry Goldman in his 74th year has cast a shadow over the members of the Singers Hill Synagogue, where he served as shammas for 40 years.

2010 Jewish Chron. 24 Sept. 4/5 Jerry Sibley is the shamash at Plymouth, the oldest continuous-used synagogue building in the country, built in 1762, with now just 35 members.

1895 Amer. Hebrew 13 Dec. 176/2 Before the tiny wax tapers had begun to burn down in their sockets and even while the ‘Shammash’ was still sending up his sputtering appreciation of his position in front, did the children..enter upon an evening of such unrestricted enjoyment.

1947 Jewish Exponent (Philadelphia) 5 Dec. 5/1 On the first night only one candle is lighted (excluding the ‘shamash’ of course).

2018 Austin (Texas) Amer.-Statesman (Nexis) 23 Dec. d1 ‘The menorah itself is a universal symbol of light among the darkness, a symbol of universal freedom...’ Gov. Abbott reminded the crowd of this before lighting the shamash.