Chloe Adams
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight nights, and a menorah is used to commemorate the occasion. The menorah holds nine candles, with eight representing each night of Hanukkah and the ninth candle, known as the shamash, being the helper candle used to light the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is used to light one candle, and on the second night, it lights two, and so on, until all eight candles are lit on the final night. The candles are typically placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The shamash candle should not be extinguished and should be allowed to burn with the other candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 44 for the whole ritual, 45 in a box |
| Number of candles per night | 2 on the first night, 3 on the second, and so on until 9 on the last night |
| Placement | From right to left, lit from left to right |
| Shamash | The "helper" candle, placed in the middle or on one side, used to light the other candles |
| Timing | After sundown, except on Fridays when it should be lit before sundown |
| Duration | Minimum of 30 minutes, but many prefer to let them burn out |
| Location | On a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door |
| Blessings | Three on the first night, two on each subsequent night |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is the ninth candle on a Hanukkah menorah, which is used to light the other eight candles. The shamash is placed at a different height or level to distinguish it from the other eight candles, which represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. The shamash can be placed anywhere—to the side, below, or above the other candles—as long as it is at a different level.
In addition to its functional purpose, the shamash holds symbolic significance. The rabbis are known to stare at the light from the flames of the Hanukkah candles, engaging in secret Kabbalistic meditations.
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Placement of the menorah
The placement of the menorah during Hanukkah is an important aspect of the celebration. The menorah should be placed in a prominent position, often on a shelf or windowsill, to shine a light through the darkness during the shorter days of the year.
Traditionally, the menorah is placed on a shelf on the outside of the house, facing the street, to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah and show that the home is Jewish. This tradition has been continued by placing the menorah in a window, with many Jewish organizations also erecting large outdoor menorahs in their towns. This placement allows passers-by to enjoy the sight of the candles and has been used as an act of defiance and bravery in the face of antisemitism.
When setting up the menorah, it is important to ensure it has nine spots for candles—eight spots for each night of Hanukkah and a ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the others. The shamash is usually placed in the centre, at a different elevation to the other candles. The first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot, and each night, another candle is added from right to left, with the candles being lit from left to right.
There are some slight adjustments to the placement and lighting of the menorah on Shabbat. 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 sundown when Shabbat has ended. However, there are differing opinions on whether the menorah should be lit before or after the havdalah rituals are completed.
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Number of candles
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights, and a menorah is used to light candles during this period. The menorah has nine spots for candles, with one candle for each night of Hanukkah and an extra candle in the middle, known as the shamash, or helper candle. This candle is used to light the others and is placed at a different elevation to the other eight.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is used to light one candle, so two candles are placed in the menorah. On the second night, the shamash lights two candles, so there are three candles in the menorah. This pattern continues until the eighth night, when all nine candles are lit. In total, 44 candles are needed to complete the ritual on all eight nights with one menorah. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but they are lit from left to right. The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the other candles. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first, and in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the others, and then the shamash is lit last. The menorah is usually lit after sundown, except on Fridays when it is lit before sunset.
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Candle lighting order
The Hanukkah menorah has nine spots for candles, with one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight nights. The ninth candle, which sits in the middle or on one side, is known as the shamash, or "helper" candle. This candle is lit first and is used to light the other eight candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is used to light one other candle. On the second night, it is used to light two, and so on, until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night of the holiday. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. The shamash should be allowed to burn with the rest of the candles and not be extinguished after use.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the candles that represent the nights, and then the shamash is lit last and the extra candle is blown out.
On Friday evening, the menorah should be lit before sunset and before the Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, the candles are lit after sunset and when Shabbat has ended.
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Candle lighting time
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred ritual during Hanukkah, and there are specific guidelines for the timing of this ceremony. The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles representing each night of the eight-day celebration and an extra ninth candle, known as the shamash, or "helper" candle, used to light the others.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are lit: the shamash and another candle designating the first night. Each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit, until the final night when all nine candles are illuminated. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of candle lighting times:
Lighting Times:
The traditional practice is to light the Hanukkah candles after sunset, when it is dark. The exact timing can vary, with some sources suggesting lighting the candles 10 to 25 minutes after sunset, ensuring there is enough oil to last for at least half an hour after the stars appear. The latest time for lighting is generally considered to be a few minutes before a specified time, such as 4:28 PM, after which the candles should burn for at least 30 minutes.
Shabbat Considerations:
When Hanukkah overlaps with Shabbat, there are special considerations. On Friday afternoon, the Hanukkah lights are lit before the Shabbat candles. On Saturday night, customs differ, with some communities lighting the Hanukkah lights after Havdalah, while others reverse the order. In Sephardic communities, the Chanukah lights are lit in the synagogue before Havdalah, and at home, Havdalah precedes the lighting.
Making Up for Missed Lighting:
If the candles burn out before the prescribed time, they should be relit immediately to ensure they burn for the necessary duration. If one misses the ideal lighting time, it is still acceptable to light the candles later in the night, provided that members of the household are still awake.
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Frequently asked questions
The shamash is the "helper" candle and is used to light the other candles. It is placed in the middle or on one side, in a spot that is at a different elevation to the other candles.
You will need a total of 44 candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45.
The shamash candle is placed first, followed by the candles for each night of the holiday, from right to left.
