Chloe Adams
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight nights. The celebration involves the lighting of a menorah, a special candle holder with eight branches plus an additional helper candle, called a shamash. The shamash is used to light the other candles, which are placed in the menorah from right to left. However, when it comes to lighting the candles, there is some debate. Some sources suggest that the candles should be lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first, while others argue for lighting from right to left. The blessings are recited before the candles are lit, and the shamash candle is typically lit first and used to light the others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement of candles | From right to left |
| Lighting of candles | From left to right |
| First candle lit | Leftmost candle |
| Number of candles on the first night | Two |
| Number of candles on the eighth and final night | Nine |
| Total number of candles required to complete the ritual with one menorah | 44 |
| Number of candles in a box | 45 |
| The candle used to light other candles | Shamash or "helper" candle |
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What You'll Learn
The first night's candle is placed on the right
The first night of Hanukkah is a special one, and the placement of the candle in the right-most spot reflects this significance. The Festival of Lights, as it is often called, involves a specific candle-lighting ceremony that is steeped in tradition and ritual.
On the first night, the shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in its designated spot, usually in the centre of the Hanukkah menorah. This candle is used to light the others. Alongside the shamash, another candle is placed in the right-most spot of the menorah to indicate that it is the first night. From the second night onwards, an additional candle is placed to the left of the previous night's candle, with the shamash continuing to occupy its central position.
The placement of the first night's candle on the right is symbolic and sets the tone for the rest of the festival. The candles are added from right to left, reflecting the direction in which Hebrew is written. However, when it comes to lighting the candles, the order is reversed, with the left-most candle being lit first and then moving towards the right.
The lighting of the menorah is accompanied by traditional blessings, with three blessings recited on the first night and two on each subsequent night. This ritual is an important aspect of Hanukkah, and many Jewish communities erect large outdoor menorahs or place their menorahs in windows facing the street to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah.
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Candles are placed right to left
The Hanukkah menorah holds eight candles, one for each night of the holiday, and a ninth candle, the shamash, or "helper" candle, used to light the others. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. The shamash candle is placed in the centre of the menorah, with the first night's candle placed in the right-most spot.
On the second night, another candle is added to the right of the first night's candle, and the shamash is used to light the left-most candle first, before moving from left to right. This process is repeated each night, with a new candle added to the right of the previous night's candles, until the final night when all nine candles are lit.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the others, starting with the left-most candle. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the others, and the shamash is lit last.
There are differing opinions on the direction in which the menorah should be lit. Some sources state that the right-most candle should be lit first, while others suggest that the left-most candle should be lit first, or that the candle closest to the door should be lit first. The direction in which the menorah is lit may also depend on its placement in relation to a mezuzah or a door.
The menorah is often placed in a window facing the street, particularly in moments of antisemitism, as an act of defiance and bravery.
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Blessings are said before lighting
The blessings are an integral part of the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony, and they are said before the candles are lit. On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited, and on each subsequent night, two blessings are said. The shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first, and it is used to kindle the other candles.
The first blessing is:
> Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
> Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the Hanukkah light.
The second blessing is:
> Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz’man hazeh.
> Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.
The third blessing, said only on the first night, is:
> Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu vekiy’manu vehigi’anu laz’man hazeh.
> Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
The blessings are said while holding the shamash candle, and they serve as a reminder of the specific miracles that occurred in the past. The candle-lighting ceremony is also an opportunity to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah, with many Jewish organisations erecting large outdoor menorahs. Individuals can also place their menorahs in windows facing the street, symbolising an act of defiance and bravery in the face of antisemitism.
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The shamash is the helper candle
The shamash is the ninth candle on the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the "helper" candle. It is placed in a designated spot, usually in the centre or at a different height, to distinguish it from the other eight candles. The shamash is not a mitzvah candle, but it is essential because it is used to light the other eight candles, which represent the eight nights of Hanukkah.
The shamash is first lit and then used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one, and it is not customary to blow it out. Instead, it is left to burn alongside the other candles. This is because the shamash serves as a helper, ready to "serve" if a candle blows out, preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights.
The shamash also holds symbolic significance. It represents the idea that each person has the potential to be a "helper" or a teacher, impacting the lives of others and enabling them to shine. This idea is reflected in the placement of the shamash above or at a different height from the other candles, symbolising that a true leader lifts others up.
The shamash is an integral part of the Hanukkah tradition, not only for its practical purpose of lighting the other candles but also for the lesson it teaches about service, leadership, and elevating others.
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There are differing opinions on the direction of lighting
The direction of lighting the menorah has been a subject of discussion among Jewish scholars. Rav Hershel Schachter, for example, explained that the common practice is to put the candles from right to left, starting within a tefach of the doorway. However, when it comes to lighting the candles, the guiding principle, as mentioned by Yisrael Meir Kagan, is to never pass one's hand past a candle without lighting it. This would mean lighting the leftmost candle first and then proceeding to the right.
Adding to the discussion, Maharik writes that on the first night, the rightmost candle is lit, and on subsequent nights, candles are added to the left and lit from left to right. This interpretation is based on the Gemara (Sotah 15b) and later applied to lighting Hanukkah candles by Mordechai (Shabbat 2:268). However, Trumat Hadeshen and Sh”t Maharshal 85 present a different perspective. They suggest that the direction of lighting depends on the position of the menorah relative to the mezuzah. If the menorah is lit opposite the mezuzah, then it should be lit from left to right, with the new candle being the leftmost one. On the other hand, if the menorah is lit on the right side of the door, then lighting should be from right to left, ensuring the new candle is the rightmost one.
The Bet Yosef 676:5, quoted by Trumat HaDeshen, argues for consistency in lighting the menorah, suggesting that one should always light the new candle first and light from left to right, regardless of the menorah's position relative to the door. However, Levush (676:5) and Taz (676:6) interpret the Gemara differently, proposing that while one may initially choose to start lighting from the right, they can continue in that direction even if it means going left on subsequent nights.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The newest candle is lit first.
On the first night, there should be one candle on the far right of the menorah, plus the shamash. On the second night, there should be two candles on the right, plus the shamash, and so on.
The shamash is the "helper" candle, which is usually placed in the centre and used to light the other candles.
On the first night, three blessings are recited, and on each subsequent night, two blessings are said. One such blessing is: "We kindle these lights because of the wondrous deliverance you performed for our ancestors. During these eight days of Hanukkah, these lights are sacred; we are not to use them but only to behold them, so that their glow may rouse us to give thanks for your wondrous acts of deliverance."
