Brooke Martin
The lighting of the menorah is an important part of Hanukkah celebrations. The candles should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah, with the shamash candle lit first, followed by the Hanukkah blessing. The candles should be placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door, and should be lit for at least thirty minutes. However, there are differing opinions on how long the candles should burn, with some saying they should be lit until the people leave the marketplace, and others saying it is an extra mitzvah for the candles to burn even longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | Just after dark each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat. |
| Placement | Traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door. |
| Lighting order | The shamash (helper candle) is lit first, followed by the other candles from right to left. |
| Number of candles | One candle on the first night and an additional candle every night until there are eight candles on the last night. |
| Fuel type | Any kind of fuel and wicks may be used, but olive oil is preferable as a reminder of the Chanukah miracle. |
| Burning duration | The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall or sunset. Some sources recommend using enough fuel for the candles to burn longer, up to several hours. |
| Extinguishing | If the candles burn for the prescribed time, they may be extinguished. However, some people choose not to extinguish them regardless of how long they burn. |
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What You'll Learn
The minimum time for candles to be lit is half an hour
The minimum time for Hanukkah candles to be lit is half an hour. This is because it usually takes half an hour for the stars to appear after nightfall. The Rif (Shabbat 9b) explains that historically, there was a half-hour window between nightfall and the time when people left the marketplace. As such, the Shulchan Aruch 672:2 rules that one should ensure their candles have a half-hour's worth of fuel.
The Gemara (Shabbat 21b) also supports this ruling, stating that the candles should be lit with enough fuel to last from nightfall until the people leave the marketplace. This ruling is based on the understanding that the primary purpose of the Hanukkah menorah is to spread light. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the candles have sufficient fuel to burn for at least half an hour after nightfall or sunset.
It is worth noting that there are differing opinions on the ideal duration for the candles to burn. Some sources suggest that it is an extra mitzvah (hiddur) for the candles to burn longer than thirty minutes. Additionally, some people practice not extinguishing the candles, regardless of how long they burn. However, if the candles are lit indoors, it is important to consider fire safety. In such cases, it is permissible to blow out the candles after thirty minutes if there is a fire hazard.
The timing of lighting the candles is also important. Ideally, the candles should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. However, many families wait until everyone is home together before lighting the menorah. On Fridays, the menorah is typically lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat. It is also customary to refrain from eating a "fixed" meal or consuming anything intoxicating during the half-hour preceding the lighting of the candles.
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If they go out, they should be relit
The Chanukah candles should be lit within half an hour of nightfall, or sunset, and should burn for at least half an hour. The Shulchan Aruch 672:2 rules that one should ensure there is a half-hour's worth of fuel. This is because, in previous generations, there was virtually no more traffic on the streets half an hour after nightfall. However, there are differing opinions on this timing. The Rif (Shabbat 9b) explains that there was a half-hour window from nightfall until people left the marketplace, but nowadays, people are out in the streets much later. So, if the candles go out before half an hour has passed, they should be relit.
The act of lighting the candles is considered a mitzvah, and it is important that the candles remain lit for the entire time they need to burn. If the candles are extinguished before half an hour, they do not need to be relit if they were originally lit in a way that should have lasted half an hour. However, if they were lit in a location where they were likely to be extinguished before half an hour, such as a windy location, then they must be relit.
If the candles did not burn for the prescribed time, one should relight them immediately so that they burn for the necessary amount of time. It is permissible to extinguish the candles after they have burned for half an hour, but there are those who choose not to extinguish them no matter how long they burn.
It is important to note that the Chanukah candles should not be moved or used for any other purpose once they have been lit for the prescribed period. If one wishes to use the candles for another purpose, they should first be extinguished and then relit, provided that a stipulation was made beforehand.
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The best time to light them is after dark
The best time to light the Hanukkah candles is just after dark. Sources suggest that the optimum time is within half an hour of sunset or nightfall, when the stars begin to appear. This is because, in previous generations, there was virtually no more traffic on the streets half an hour after dark.
However, it is still acceptable to light the candles later, as there are authorities who are lenient on this. The key point is that there must be someone around to see the Hanukkah lights. The candles should be lit after dark each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.
The candles should be lit in a safe place, away from flammable materials and children, and ideally, they should be left to burn out by themselves. If the candles go out before half an hour has passed, they must be re-lit. If they are extinguished after half an hour, it is not necessary to re-light them.
The candles should be lit in a manner that ensures they will burn for at least half an hour. This is considered the minimum time for the candles to burn, and it is a mitzvah for the candles to burn even longer. If the candles are lit inside, they should be placed in a window or by a door, so they are visible to passers-by.
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The shamash candle is lit first
On the first night of Hanukkah, a candle is placed in the holder on the far right. This is lit using the shamash, which is then returned to its spot, leaving it lit. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit first, followed by the candle on the far right, and the shamash is lit again. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all the candles will be lit, starting from the far left.
The menorah is traditionally lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah, though some families wait until everyone is home. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat. The candles should be lit within half an hour of nightfall, with sufficient fuel to last for at least half an hour. If the candles go out before half an hour, they do not need to be relit, as long as they were originally lit with enough fuel to last. If they did not have enough fuel, then they must be relit.
It is important to note that the act of lighting the candles is considered a mitzvah, and it is preferable for everyone to light their own candle.
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The number of candles lit corresponds to the night
The number of candles lit on the menorah each night of Hanukkah corresponds to the night of the celebration. On the first night, one candle is lit, and on the second night, two candles are lit, and so on until the eighth night, when all eight candles are lit. This is because, according to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
The Shamash, or helper candle, is used to light the other candles and is placed in the centre or raised above the others. The Shamash is lit first, and then the Hanukkah blessing is recited before lighting the other candles.
There are differing opinions on the optimal time to light the candles. Some sources suggest lighting the menorah just after dark each night, while others specify lighting when the stars appear. In Jerusalem, many follow the custom of lighting at sunset before the evening prayers. To accommodate modern lifestyles, there is flexibility regarding the timing, and some authorities allow lighting later if there are still people in the streets.
It is important to ensure that the candles have sufficient fuel to burn for at least half an hour after nightfall or sunset. This is based on the understanding that in ancient times, there was no more traffic in the streets half an hour after nightfall. However, some practices, like that of the Griz, suggest using enough oil to keep the candles lit for several hours into the night.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum time for which the Hanukkah candles should be lit is half an hour after nightfall or sunset. However, some sources recommend keeping the candles lit for longer, until the people in the marketplace leave.
The candles should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. However, many families wait until everyone is home together. On Fridays, the candles are lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.
If the candles go out before half an hour due to insufficient fuel, they must be relit. If they go out due to external factors, such as wind, they should also be relit. However, if they go out after burning for at least half an hour, you may choose to extinguish them or let them burn out.
If you can't light the candles at the right time, you can light them later in the night as long as the members of your household are still awake. If everyone is already asleep, you should light the candles the next evening without making a blessing.
