Brooke Martin
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights and a feast of dedication, celebrating the miracle of a day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. The menorah should have eight spots for candles, one for each night, and an extra ninth spot at a different elevation for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the others. 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 for each night, plus a ninth "helper" candle |
| Placement of candles | Right to left, lit from left to right |
| Lighting time | After sundown, except on Fridays before Shabbat |
| Blessings | Three on the first night, then two on each subsequent night |
| Direction | Hebrew is written right to left, so candles are placed in this direction |
| Public displays | Large outdoor menorahs are common, as well as menorahs in windows |
| Lighting procedure | The “helper” candle is lit first, then used to light the others |
| Candle type | Candles, oil lamps, or electric lights |
| Number of candles per menorah | 44 per menorah for the full ritual, though most boxes contain 45 |
| Candle placement | The “helper” candle is placed at a different elevation than the other eight |
| Holiday duration | Eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar |
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What You'll Learn
The number of candles and their placement
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, with the ninth branch holding the shamash, or "helper" candle. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash candle is placed at a different elevation to the other eight, either higher or lower.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle. The shamash is placed in its designated spot, usually in the centre, and the other candle is placed in the right-most spot. On each subsequent night, another candle is added to the right, until on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The menorah should be placed facing a street window so that passers-by can see it. In moments of antisemitism, some Jews have chosen to light the menorah in a window as an act of defiance and bravery.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first, and then 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 then the shamash is lit last, and the extra candle is blown out.
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The shamash candle
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle designating the first night. The shamash is lit first and then used to light the other candle, which is placed in the right-most spot. Each subsequent night, another candle is added, so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is the first candle lit, and it is used to light the other candles from left to right. However, in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the nightly candles, and then the shamash is lit last, with the extra candle blown out. Blessings are recited before the candles are lit, with three blessings on the first night and two blessings on each subsequent night.
The Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine branches to accommodate the nine candles. Eight of the branches hold candles that symbolise each night of the eight-day holiday. The ninth branch is for the shamash, which is essential to the ritual and holds a place of honour, either at a higher or lower plane than the other candles.
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Blessings and prayers
The blessings and prayers are an important part of the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony. The ancient rabbis believed that it was important to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah, and the blessings and prayers are a key part of this tradition.
On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited. The first is a standard blessing recited on the first night of all holidays, thanking God for allowing us to experience this occasion again:
> "Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah."
> "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot."
The second blessing is recited only in two contexts in the course of the year: when reading the Book of Esther at Purim and when lighting the Hanukkah candles. It translates to:
> "Barukh attah adonai, eloheinu, melekh ha-olam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz’man hazeh."
> "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season."
The third blessing, the She-heḥeyyanu, is also recited only on the first night of Hanukkah, to give thanks to God for something new that we have experienced:
> "Barukh attah adonai, eloheinu, melekh ha-olam, she-heheyyanu, vekiyamanu, vehigiyanu lezman hazeh."
> "Praised are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this occasion."
On the first night, the shammash, or helper candle, is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles. The blessings are said before the other candles are lit. On the remaining nights, two blessings are recited, and the candles are lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
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Timing and duration
Hanukkah candles are traditionally lit at nightfall or after sunset. However, on Fridays, the candles are lit before sunset to avoid lighting them on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath day. The candles are usually lit when everyone in the household is gathered together.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first, followed by another candle to indicate that it is the first night. This first night's candle is placed in the rightmost spot of the menorah. On each subsequent night, another candle is added to the left of the previous night's candle, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. The shamash is placed in a designated spot, usually in the centre of the menorah, and is used to light the other candles.
The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes, although some people prefer to let them burn out completely. According to Jewish law, the menorah should be lit and remain lit for the entire duration of burning. If a candle is extinguished before 30 minutes, it should be relit, provided that it was originally lit in a manner that should have allowed it to last.
The Hanukkah celebration lasts for eight nights, and the timing of the candle-lighting ritual may vary depending on the specific night. For example, on the first night, three blessings are recited, while on the remaining nights, two blessings are recited.
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Candle lighting order
The Hanukkah menorah has eight spots for candles, one for each night, and a ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, which is 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 others, starting with the left-most candle. 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 and the extra candle is blown out.
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.
According to Jewish law, the menorah should be lit before the Shabbat candles on Friday evening while it is still light out. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sundown when Shabbat has ended.
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