Brooke Martin
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the victory of Jewish rebels over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C. and the liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday is celebrated for eight nights, with a special Hanukkah menorah, or candelabrum, lit each night. The menorah has eight branches, with one candle for each night of Hanukkah, and a ninth branch for the shamash, or server candle, which is used to light the others. The shamash candle is lit first, followed by the other candles, working from left to right. So, the answer to the question how many Hanukkah candles tonight? depends on which night of Hanukkah it is.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 (one for each night) + 1 shamash |
| Placement | Work from right to left |
| Lighting order | Shamash first, then left to right |
| Timing | Just after sunset or when everyone is gathered; before sunset on Fridays |
| Duration | At least 30 minutes, but some prefer to let them burn out |
| Placement | On a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a candelabrum with holders for eight candles, one for each day of the celebration, plus the ninth, the shamash. The shamash candle is often the same size as the other candles, but some menorahs feature a smaller shamash candle holder. The shamash can be placed in a separate candlestick next to the menorah if the original holder is missing or too small.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, with an additional candle being lit on each subsequent night. By the eighth night, all the candles are lit, and a special prayer is recited during the lighting. The menorah is lit from left to right, and blessings are said as the candles are lit. The lighting of the menorah is a time for songs and games, and the four-sided dreidel is a popular toy during the celebration.
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Blessings and prayers
Hanukkah, also known as the "'Festival of Lights', is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the subsequent rededication of the temple. The festival is celebrated by lighting a special Hanukkah menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum with holders for eight candles, one for each day of the celebration, and a ninth holder, the shammash, or "helper candle", used to light the others.
Each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit, beginning with one candle on the first night and ending with all eight candles lit on the final night. The menorah is lit from left to right, and blessings are recited during the lighting. The blessings give thanks to God for sustaining the Jewish people and enabling them to reach this season. Here is an example of a blessing that can be recited:
> Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.
In addition to the blessings, there are also special prayers recited during the lighting of the menorah. While the candles burn, it is customary to sing songs and play games, such as spinning a dreidel. Hanukkah is also a time for gift-giving, especially to children, and decorating homes, similar to Christmas celebrations in Christian homes.
The food traditionally eaten during Hanukkah includes sufganiot (donuts), potato latkes (pancakes), mandelbrot (a firm, cake-like cookie), rugelach (a pastry with various fillings), and dairy products. Hanukkah commemorates a significant event in Jewish history, the successful rebellion against the Syrians in the Maccabean War of 162 BCE.
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Placement of the menorah
The placement of the menorah during Hanukkah is an important tradition. The menorah, also known as the hanukkiah or chanukkiyah, is a nine-branched candelabrum that holds eight candles, one for each night of the eight-day holiday, and a ninth helper candle called the shamash. The shamash is placed in a different position, usually in the centre or to the left side, and at a different elevation to the other eight candles. The shamash is lit first and used to light the other candles.
The menorah is placed with the candles from right to left, but they are lit from left to right. This is because Hebrew is written from right to left. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one.
The menorah is often displayed in public during Hanukkah, with many Jewish organizations erecting large outdoor menorahs. It is also traditional to place the menorah in a window facing the street, especially in moments of antisemitism, as an act of defiance and bravery.
There are many different styles of menorahs, and they are often displayed as decorative pieces in synagogues throughout the year. The menorah has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times and is the official emblem of the State of Israel.
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Number of candles for each night
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival that involves the lighting of a special nine-branched Hanukkah menorah or Chanukiah. The ninth branch, known as the shammash or "helper" candle, is placed in the middle or to the left side and is used to light the other eight candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit, and one additional candle is lit on each subsequent night. So, on the second night, two candles are lit, and on the third night, three, and so on until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night. The candles are typically lit just after sunset, except on Friday nights when they are lit before sunset.
The menorah is lit from left to right, and blessings are recited during the lighting. The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes, although some prefer to let them burn out by themselves. The menorah is placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door.
There are apps available that can help keep track of how many candles to light each night of Hanukkah, as well as providing the correct blessings for each day.
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Lighting the candles
Hanukkah, also known as the "Festival of Lights" or "Feast of Lights", is celebrated by lighting the candles of the menorah. The menorah is a candelabra, a large candlestick holder with several arms or branches. While a candlestick can hold one candle, a candelabra holds many. The Hanukkah menorah, or chanukiah, has nine branches, eight for each night of Hanukkah and one extra in the middle, known as the shamash, or "helper candle". The shamash is lit first and used to light the other eight candles.
The candles are typically lit just after sunset, except on Fridays when they are lit before sundown. The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door. When placing the candles, work from right to left, and when lighting them, go from left to right. The shamash is lit first, and blessings are said before using it to light the other candles. The most recent candle should be lit first. The candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes, although some may prefer to let them burn out by themselves.
The number of candles lit each night of Hanukkah corresponds to the night of the celebration. On the first night, one candle is lit, two on the second, and so on until the eighth night when all are lit. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by special prayers and songs, and it is a time for games and gift-giving, especially for children.
The lighting of the menorah and its nine candles is an important symbol of Hanukkah, recalling the miracle of the original oil that lasted eight days.
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Frequently asked questions
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle that designates it as the first night.
Each night, another candle is added. So, on the second night, two candles are lit, and on the third night, three, and so on.
On the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles—the shamash plus eight others—are lit.
