Maddie James
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. The shamash candle is the first one to be lit and is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. The blessings are said before the candles are lit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement of candles | Right to left |
| Lighting of candles | Left to right |
| Number of candles | 44 per menorah for the whole ritual |
| Placement of menorah | Outside, on the left side of the door |
| Positioning of candles | As close to the mezuzah as possible |
| First candle lit | Shamash candle (in Ashkenazi communities) |
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What You'll Learn
The candles are placed right to left
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. This is because the newest candle is always lit first, and it is placed on the left. This way, the hand lighting the candles does not cast a shadow on the lit candles. The practice also reflects the direction in which Hebrew is written and the way that people affix the mezuzah to the right doorpost as they enter a room or house.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first to be lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last.
There are differing opinions on the correct way to light the candles. Some sources say that the rightmost candle should be lit first, and then on subsequent nights, a candle is added to the left and lit first, so that one lights from left to right. However, others argue that the new candle should always be lit first, regardless of whether it is placed on the right or left side of the door.
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They are lit left to right
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more candle is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight candles.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but they are lit from left to right. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one. This is done to welcome and bless the newest candle/day first. By lighting the candles from left to right, the hand never crosses over or casts a shadow on the lit candles.
There are differing opinions on the correct way to light the menorah. According to the Shulkhan Aruch, the candles are placed right to left and lit left to right. However, the Levush and Taz argue that while the first candle lit should be the leftmost one, it is acceptable to continue lighting the candles from left to right or from right to left.
The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is a ritual that is followed by traditional Hanukkah songs, playing dreidel, eating gelt or sufganiyot or latkes, or opening gifts.
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The shamash candle is the first one lit in Ashkenazi communities
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" candle, is the first candle lit in Ashkenazi communities. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, with another candle placed on the right-most spot to designate the first night of Hanukkah. The shamash is then used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. This is done to welcome and bless the newest candle/day first.
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration, which is an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the subsequent rededication of the temple. The festival falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December.
The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight of the nine branches holding lights that symbolize each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth branch holds the shamash candle, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash candle is placed at a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles to distinguish it.
In Sephardi communities, the custom differs slightly. An extra candle, not part of the menorah, is used to light the candles that represent the nights. Then, the shamash is lit last, and the extra candle is blown out.
The placement of the candles in the menorah is also significant. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, just as Hebrew is written. This is done to give honour to each day and build upon the sustained miracle, while lighting the candles from left to right acknowledges the current day's preeminence as a miracle.
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In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the others
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the subsequent rededication of the temple. It falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December. The celebration involves lighting candles on a menorah, a candelabra with eight spots for candles, one for each night, and an extra ninth spot for the shamash or "helper" candle, which is used to light the others.
In Sephardi communities, there is a unique custom regarding the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. While the shamash candle is typically lit first in Ashkenazi communities, Sephardic custom dictates that an extra candle, not part of the menorah, is used to light the other candles. This extra candle is then extinguished, and the shamash is lit last. This practice is based on the concept of Tosafot and Darkei Moshe Ha'Aruch, and it differs from the Ashkenazi tradition, which follows the opinion of Rambam.
The debate between the Ashkenazi and Sephardi customs centres around how many sets of candles a family should light. The Sephardic tradition holds that only one menorah should be lit per family, while the Ashkenazic tradition suggests that each family member should light their own menorah. This difference in customs reflects the rich diversity of Jewish traditions and interpretations of Jewish law.
The placement of the candles on the menorah also follows a specific order. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, mirroring the direction of Hebrew writing, but they are lit from left to right. This practice symbolises welcoming and blessing the newest candle or day first, representing the current night of Hanukkah.
The lighting of the Hanukkah candles is a sacred ritual, and it holds a significant place in Jewish culture and tradition. The menorah is typically lit after sundown, except on Friday evening when it is lit before Shabbat candles while it is still light out, and on Saturday night, after Shabbat has ended. These slight adjustments ensure that the lighting ceremony complies with Jewish law, which forbids lighting a fire during Shabbat.
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The candles are lit after sundown
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until the final night when all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, or "helper", which is used to light the other eight.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. The blessings are said before the candles are lit at sundown. However, there is one exception. Since Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, it will overlap with Shabbat at least once. Lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law, so there are slight adjustments to the candle-lighting on Friday and Saturday nights. On Friday evening, the menorah should be lit before the Shabbat candles while it is still light out. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sundown when Shabbat has ended.
The direction in which the candles are lit is based on the Gemara (Sotah 15b) that a person should always turn to the right. The Shulkhan Aruch dictates that the candles are placed right to left, and lit left to right, to welcome and bless the newest candle/day first. This is also a practical approach, as it ensures that the hand never casts a shadow on the lit candles.
The shamash candle is the first one lit in Ashkenazi communities, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last. Many families follow the candle lighting with traditional Hanukkah songs, playing dreidel, eating gelt, sufganiyot or latkes, or opening gifts.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left.
The candles are lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
The newest candle is lit first to welcome and bless the current day as a miracle.
