Maddie James
The Hanukkah menorah is traditionally lit each night of Hanukkah, with the shamash, or helper candle, being used to light the other candles. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, with the other candles being placed from right to left and lit from left to right. The length of time the candles should be lit for is debated, with some sources saying they should be lit for at least thirty minutes, while others suggest they should be lit from nightfall until people leave the marketplace. The ideal location for lighting the menorah is outside one's doorway, with the next best option being inside by a window that faces the public view.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who should light the candles | Everyone should light the candles: men, women, and children. |
| Where should one light the candles | Ideally, one should light the candles outside of the doorpost of one's home in public view. |
| When should one light the candles | Some light at sunset, some light ten minutes after sunset, and some light at nightfall. |
| How long should the candles be lit for | The candles should be lit for at least thirty minutes. |
| What should one light | Olive oil is the most preferable way, or one may use wax candles providing they have a single wick. |
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What You'll Learn
The minimum duration for which Hanukkah candles should be lit
However, some sources suggest that the candles should be lit for a longer duration. For example, the Gemara (Shabbat 21b) states that the candles should burn until people leave the marketplace, without specifying a set time. Additionally, the Griz is known for lighting with enough oil to last several hours into the night, taking into account that people are often out on the streets until late.
It is worth noting that there are different opinions regarding the ideal time to light the candles. Some light at sunset, while others light ten minutes after sunset or at nightfall. On Fridays, the menorah is typically lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.
In an emergency, where one will not be returning home until very late, it is permissible to light the candles earlier, as long as they will remain lit for at least half an hour after the usual lighting time. If there is a fire hazard or other safety concern, the candles can be blown out after thirty minutes.
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The ideal type of candle for Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, involves the symbolic ritual of lighting a candle or candles on a menorah on each of the festival's eight nights. The menorah has nine branches—one for each of the eight nights, plus an extra "helper" shamash candle.
The shamash candle is often the middle candle holder and is used to light the other candles. It is kept either higher or lower than the rest of the candles to distinguish it from the others.
The type of candle used for Hanukkah can vary. While the original menorahs in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem were lit with sacred oil, today, most people use wax candles. However, some traditionalists continue to use oil, typically olive oil, to light their menorahs. Any type of oil is acceptable, and if using wax candles, these should have a single wick.
When using wax candles, it is recommended to use extra-long candles, such as T-lights or thick white Shabbat candles, to ensure they burn for at least 30 minutes. It is considered proper to let the candles burn out completely, and if a candle goes out before doing so, it may not be ideal to reuse it, as all flames should start from an even height.
In addition to the type of candle, the location of the candle lighting is also important. Ideally, the menorah should be lit outdoors, near the doorpost of one's home, to be as public as possible. However, in places like America, most people light their menorahs indoors, so an alternative location near a window is also acceptable.
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Who should light Hanukkah candles
The Hanukkah menorah is traditionally lit by every member of the household, including men, women, and children. However, if there are multiple people in a household, it is acceptable to light one menorah together. In this case, the cost of the candles can be split, or those who are not lighting the menorah can participate by contributing to the cost of the candles.
If someone is not at home, they can still be included in the lighting of the menorah by their family. In this case, the blessings are recited on their behalf, and they can fulfil their mitzvah through their family members. If no one is lighting on their behalf, they should recite the blessings and light their own menorah.
Students living in university accommodation may face restrictions on lighting candles in their rooms. In this case, they should light the menorah in a designated area, such as the main lounge on their floor.
The Hanukkah menorah is typically lit after sundown, with the exception of Friday when it is lit before the Shabbat candles. On Saturday, the candles are lit after Shabbat has ended, but there is no consensus on whether the menorah should be lit before or after the havdalah rituals.
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Where to place the candles
The placement of the Hanukkah menorah is meant to spread light to others. The ideal place to light the menorah is outside your doorpost in public view. However, in America, most people light their menorahs indoors. Here is a list of the best places to put your menorah, from most to least ideal:
- Outside your doorway
- Next to the left side of the door (opposite the mezuzah, which is on the right side)
- Inside your room by a window that faces the public view
- Inside your room, next to the left side of the door (opposite the mezuzah, which is on the right side)
- In the main lounge of your floor
- Inside your room, on a table
If you live in a high-rise building, you can light your menorah in your window, as long as someone in the neighbouring building at the same height can see it. Alternatively, you can light it by the door.
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah and is used to light the other candles. The other candles are placed in the menorah from right to left and are lit from left to right.
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The order in which the candles should be lit
The Hanukkah menorah should have eight spots for candles, one for each night, and a ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, used to light the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, which has its own designated spot (usually in the centre), and another candle that designates the first night. The first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the left-most candle, which represents the current night. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash is lit last.
On each subsequent night, another candle is added to the menorah, so that on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit.
The menorah is traditionally lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, there are slight adjustments to the candle-lighting ritual on Friday and Saturday nights, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law. 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 sunset, once Shabbat has ended.
There are differing opinions on whether the menorah should be lit before or after the havdalah rituals are completed on Saturday night. The most widespread Sephardic custom is to recite havdalah first.
Ideally, the menorah should be lit outside the doorpost of one's home in public view. In America, most people light indoors, so the order of preference is: outside one's doorway, next to the left side of the door; inside by a window that faces the public view; inside next to the left side of the door; in the main lounge of your floor; or inside on a table.
The candles should be lit for at least thirty minutes. It is considered an extra mitzvah (hiddur) if the candles last longer. If there is a fire hazard, the candles can be blown out after thirty minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles should be lit for at least 30 minutes. It is considered an extra mitzvah (hiddur) if the candles are left lit for longer.
Ideally, the candles should be lit outside the doorpost of one's home, in public view. In America, most people light the candles indoors, so the order of preference is as follows: outside one's doorway, next to the left side of the door, inside by a window that faces the public, inside next to the left side of the door, in the main lounge of your floor, and inside on a table.
The candles should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.
