Jessie Taylor
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred tradition in Judaism, commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the miracle of oil lasting eight days. The menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, is lit each night of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration. The shamash, or helper candle, is lit first and used to light the other eight candles, one more each night. The menorah should remain undisturbed for the first half-hour after lighting, and if a flame goes out, it is customary to relight it. The lighting of the menorah is a festive occasion, often accompanied by songs, games, and traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long should the candles burn? | The menorah must contain enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. |
| When should the candles be lit? | The menorah is lit shortly after sunset each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting on Shabbat. |
| How should the candles be lit? | The shamash (helper candle) is lit first, followed by the other candles from left to right. |
| Can the candles be relit if they go out? | If a flame accidentally goes out, it is okay to relight it within the first 30 minutes after the candles are lit. |
| Can the menorah be moved after the candles are lit? | The menorah should not be moved for at least 30 minutes after the candles are lit. |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in a designated spot on the menorah, usually in the centre, but sometimes to the side, below, or above the other candles. It is placed at a different height than the other candles to distinguish it from them. The shamash is used to light all the other candles on the menorah, and it must burn for at least as long as the other candles. This is because the light from the Chanukah candles should not be "used", so the shamash is available to be used if a candle is needed.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle to indicate that it is the first night. The shamash is placed first, and then the first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot. On each subsequent night, another candle is added, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. To complete the ritual on all eight nights, 44 candles are needed per menorah.
The menorah is lit shortly after sunset or after nightfall, depending on the community. The candles must contain enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. On Friday, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday, it is lit after nightfall. The Friday night Chanukah lights must remain lit for 30 minutes after nightfall, so larger candles or additional oil is used.
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Lighting direction
The lighting direction of the candles on a menorah depends on the night of Hanukkah and the type of community.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash candle, or "helper" candle, is lit first. This candle is placed in the centre or at a different elevation and is used to light the other candles. The shamash candle is always lit first and kept burning throughout Hanukkah. On the first night, there is only one other candle lit, which is placed in the right-most spot.
On the second night, a candle is placed in the second spot from the right, and then the candle on the far right is lit first, followed by the candle on the second spot. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first and then moving to the right. By the eighth night, all candles will be lit, starting from the far left.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and the shamash candle is lit last.
The menorah should be placed in a location where the candle flames are visible from a public area, such as a window facing the street or near a window to the left side of the door. This is to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah. However, it should be kept away from active children and flammable materials. The menorah should not be moved while lit, and the candles should be left until they burn out if possible.
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Timing
The timing of lighting the menorah is important in Jewish tradition. Hanukkah, or Chanukah, begins at sundown, and the menorah is lit each night of the eight-day festival. The first night of Hanukkah falls on 25 December, with the last night on 2 January.
The menorah is usually lit shortly after sunset, but some communities light it after nightfall, approximately thirty minutes after sunset. The custom is to light the menorah within half an hour of sunset, and it should not be moved for this period. If a flame goes out during this time, it is customary to relight it. The menorah should be placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door, ensuring it is visible and far from children and flammable materials.
On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting during Shabbat, which extends from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. The Friday night menorah is lit using additional oil or larger candles so that it remains lit for at least thirty minutes after nightfall. On Saturday night, the menorah is lit after Shabbat ends at nightfall.
Each night, another candle is added to the menorah, so that on the final night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit. The shamash is the central candle and is lit first, then used to light the other eight candles from left to right.
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Placement
The placement of the menorah and its candles is an important part of the tradition. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door. It should be positioned somewhere safe, away from active children and flammable materials. Many Jewish organisations erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns, and individuals can place their menorahs in a window facing the street to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah.
The candles themselves should be placed in a straight, even line, with no candles higher or lower than the others, and with sufficient space between each candle so that the flames are not joined. The shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah or in a designated spot raised above the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, another candle is placed in the holder on the far right. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, and so on, until the final night when all nine candles are lit. The candles are placed from right to left, but lit from left to right.
The menorah should not be moved while it is lit, and the flames should be kept within sight for safety reasons. The candles should be lit after sundown, ideally as soon as it is dark, and they should burn for at least half an hour after the stars appear in the sky. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting during Shabbat.
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Relighting
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first on a menorah. It is usually placed in the centre and is used to light the other candles. The shamash is lit first, and then the blessings are recited. The remaining candles are then lit from left to right.
If a flame accidentally goes out, it is acceptable to relight it within the first half-hour after the candles are lit, or until half an hour after nightfall if the menorah was lit before dark. The menorah should not be moved during this time. After this time has passed, the menorah can be moved if necessary, and there is no need to relight any extinguished flames.
On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting it on Shabbat. The Friday night Chanukah lights must remain lit for half an hour after nightfall, so it is necessary to use additional oil or larger candles on this night. The standard 30-minute Chanukah candles cannot be used on Friday. During Shabbat, it is forbidden to light a fire or relight any flames that have gone out.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard Chanukah candles last approximately 30 minutes. On Friday nights, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday nights, it is lit after nightfall. The Friday night Chanukah lights must remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
The shamash is the "helper" candle. It is placed in the centre of the menorah and is used to light the other candles.
The menorah is lit just after sunset on each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting on Shabbat.
