Jessie Taylor
The menorah is a candelabra used by Jewish people during Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. It is a joyous holiday that celebrates the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. The correct term for the Hanukkah candelabra is chanukiah, but the two terms are often used interchangeably. The placement of the candles on the menorah follows a specific ritual. The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the other candles, which are placed from right to left. The menorah is typically placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door, so that it can be seen from both inside and outside the home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 for each night of Hanukkah, plus an extra one in the middle, known as the shamash |
| Placement of candles | From right to left, with the shamash in the centre |
| Lighting order | Light the shamash first, then light the other candles from left to right |
| Timing | After sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather; on Friday nights, candles should be lit before sunset |
| Duration | Candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes, but many will let them burn out by themselves |
| Location | The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door |
| Direction | The candles should be lit for the person performing the ritual, not for the outside view |
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What You'll Learn
The correct candle placement on the first night
First, ensure your menorah is placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door. The menorah should have eight spots for candles—one for each night—and an extra ninth spot that is at a different elevation. This ninth spot is for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the others. The shamash is usually placed in the centre of the menorah.
On the first night, you will need two candles: the shamash, and a candle for the first night of Hanukkah. Place the first night's candle in the holder on the far right of the menorah. The shamash should be placed in its designated central spot, leaving it lit.
Once the shamash is lit, it is traditional to recite blessings. After this, you can light the first night's candle using the shamash, working from left to right. The newest candle gets the light first.
After the candles are lit, the menorah should not be moved for at least half an hour. Many families then sing traditional Hanukkah songs, play dreidel, eat gelt or sufganiyot, or open gifts.
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How to place the shamash candle
The shamash candle, also known as the "'helper" or "attendant" candle, is placed in a designated spot on the menorah that is at a different elevation to the other eight candles. Typically, this is in the centre of the menorah, but it can also be placed on the ninth branch.
The shamash candle is lit first, using a match, lighter, or another flame source. It is used to light the other candles, so it should be lit before the blessings are said and the other candles are lit. The shamash candle is never extinguished with the other candles. Instead, it is left in its place, ready to light any candles that blow out.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first candle to be lit, and it is used to light the other candles from left to right. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and the shamash candle is lit last.
The shamash candle is traditionally made from beeswax.
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Where to place the menorah in your home
The menorah holds a lot of significance in the Jewish community. It is customary to place the menorah in a window or doorway, preferably to the left of the door, so that it is visible from the street. This public display of the menorah is an act of defiance, bravery, and an integral part of the Chanukah story, celebrating the defeat of Hellenistic forces by the ancient Maccabees.
In the home, there are two preferred locations for the menorah. One option is to place it in a central doorway, on a chair or small table near the doorpost opposite the mezuzah. This way, when you pass through the doorway, you are surrounded by two mitzvahs - the mezuzah and the menorah. Alternatively, the menorah can be placed on a table near a window.
If you are travelling, you can set up your menorah wherever you will be staying for the night. If you are a student living in a dormitory, you can light a menorah in your room or in a communal dining area. If you are staying in a Jewish home, you can contribute a small amount of money towards the menorah expenses and be covered by their lighting, or you can light your own menorah.
Some people choose to use an electric menorah for safety reasons, especially if they wish to display it in a window.
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The correct order to place and light the candles
The correct order for placing and lighting the candles in a menorah is as follows:
Firstly, the shamash, or "attendant" candle, should be placed in its designated spot, usually in the centre of the menorah. The shamash is used to light the other candles and sits at a different elevation to the other eight candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, only the shamash and one other candle should be placed in the menorah, with the first night's candle placed in the right-most spot.
On each subsequent night, another candle is added, working from right to left, with the most recent candle being lit first. The shamash is then used to light the other candles, from left to right.
It is important to note that the candles are typically lit just after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather. However, on Friday nights, the candles should be lit before sunset to adhere to Jewish law, which forbids lighting a fire during Shabbat.
The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door, and it should not be moved for at least 30 minutes after lighting.
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How to place candles on the third night
On the third night of Hanukkah, you will need four candles: one as the shamash and three for the third night of the holiday. The shamash is the "helper" candle and is used to light the other candles. It usually has its own designated spot, which is often in the centre of the menorah. The shamash should be lit first, and then placed back in its spot, leaving it lit.
On the third night, place the candles as you did on the second night, adding a fourth candle in the slot third to the right. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (just as Hebrew is written from right to left) but are lit from left to right. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one.
The menorah should be placed in a central location, ideally between 12 and 40 inches off the ground. It is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside your door. The menorah should not be moved or transferred from its place for at least half an hour after the candles are lit. If a flame dies out during this time, it is best to relight it.
The lighting of the menorah is a ritual that has very specific steps, which differ slightly each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The candles are lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting on Shabbat, which extends from sunset on Friday evening until nightfall on Saturday night.
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Frequently asked questions
You can place your menorah on a table near a window, preferably to the left of the door. If you're staying somewhere else, you can set up your menorah there, or you can give your host a small contribution towards their menorah expenses.
You will need 44 candles per menorah for the eight nights of Hanukkah. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place the shamash candle in the centre of the menorah, and another candle on the right-most spot. On the second night, place the shamash candle in its slot and place the candle for the first night of Hanukkah in the right-most slot. On the third night, place the candles as you did on the second night, adding a fourth candle in the slot third to the right. On each subsequent night, add another candle, always working from right to left.
The candles are typically lit just after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather. On Friday nights, the candles should be lit before sunset, and on Saturday nights, after sunset when Shabbat has ended.
Light the shamash candle first, then use it to light the other candles, working from left to right.
