Maddie James
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and nights. The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, holds nine candles: eight candles that symbolize each of the eight nights of the holiday, and a ninth candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight. The shamash is placed on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles. The candles are typically lit at nightfall, approximately thirty minutes after sunset, and must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. The Hanukkah menorah is lit from left to right, with the newest candle being lit first. Hanukkah candles can be made of wax, soy, or oil, and are often blue and white, colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are Hanukkah candles called in Hebrew? | Nerot |
| What are Hanukkah candles called in English? | Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkah candles, or Hanukkiah |
| How many candles are lit? | One candle is lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the others. |
| When are the candles lit? | The candles are ideally lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. However, they can also be lit at any time of the night. The custom of many communities is to light the menorah shortly after sunset. In other communities, the menorah is kindled after nightfall (approximately 30 minutes after sunset). |
| What are the blessings said before lighting the candles? | Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Translated: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. |
| What type of candles are used? | Wax, soy, or oil candles. Some people use blue and white candles as they are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. |
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What You'll Learn
nerot'-in-hebrew.'>Hanukkah candles are called 'nerot' in Hebrew.
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating two miracles: the victory of poorly equipped Jewish fighters and the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting for eight nights. Each night, Hanukkah candles are lit to symbolise each of the eight nights of the holiday.
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum that is lit during the holiday. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps, with one additional candle for each night until all eight branches are lit on the final night. The ninth branch holds a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other eight.
Hanukkah candles are called nerot in Hebrew. They can be any colour, but some people prefer to buy blue and white candles, as these colours are associated with Judaism and the State of Israel. Candles are typically lit after sunset, ideally at nightfall, and must burn for a minimum of 30 minutes after nightfall.
The menorah is lit from right to left but kindled from left to right, with the newest candle lit first. Blessings are said while holding the shammash before the menorah is lit, with a third blessing said on the first night.
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The menorah is lit after sunset, except on Fridays
The Hanukkah menorah is lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. However, the menorah is lit at different times on Fridays and Saturdays due to Shabbat.
On Friday, the menorah is lit before sunset, and on Saturday, it is lit after nightfall when Shabbat ends. This is because it is forbidden to light a fire on Shabbat, which extends from sunset on Friday evening until nightfall on Saturday.
The menorah is lit after sunset on all other days. However, it is preferable to light the menorah as soon as possible after sunset. If you are awaiting the arrival of family members who wish to be present when the menorah is lit, you may delay the lighting. The menorah must contain enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first and is used to light the other candles. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah, and the other candles are placed from right to left. The blessings are said before the candles are lit, and the newest candle is lit first, from left to right.
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Blessings are said while holding the shammash candle
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting a menorah, a nine-branched candelabra. The menorah has eight branches with candle holders in a line to represent each day of the holiday, and the ninth candle holder, the shammash, is set apart. The shammash is the "helper" candle, used to light the other candles.
On each night of Hanukkah, the shammash is lit first, and blessings are said while holding it. The blessings are said after the candles are placed in the menorah but before they are lit. The candles are ideally lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. However, they can also be lit at any time of night.
The blessings are said in Hebrew, and there are three blessings on the first night and two on each subsequent night. Here is one of the blessings:
> Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, she’asah nisim l’avoteinu, b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Translated, this means:
> Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
On the first night, the Shehecheyanu blessing is also said:
> Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
Translated, this means:
> Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
After the blessings, the shammash is used to light the other candles from left to right. The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes, and during this time, Jewish families may sing or recite the Haneirot Halolu, explaining the story and traditions of Hanukkah.
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Candles are added from right to left, lit left to right
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that involves a candle-lighting ceremony. The menorah, which has nine branches, is lit for eight nights. One candle is lit on the first night, and an additional candle is lit each subsequent night. By the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but lit from left to right. The shamash, or "helper" candle, is placed in the centre and used to light the others. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is the first candle lit, while in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the others, and the shamash is lit last.
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. The candles are ideally lit at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as the moment when three stars appear. However, they can also be lit at any time after sundown. The menorah must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall.
Hanukkah candles can be made of wax, soy, or sacred oil. They can be any colour, but blue and white candles are often used as they are colours associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
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Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of oil lasting eight nights
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The miracle of the oil, also known as the miracle of Hanukkah, is one of the reasons for the celebration. The story goes that after reclaiming the holy temple in Jerusalem, the Maccabees (or Hasmoneans) found only a small quantity of oil—enough to light the lamp for a single day. However, miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days.
The miracle of the oil is not mentioned in any sources until the Babylonian Talmud, compiled in the 5th century CE, seven hundred years after the events of Hanukkah. This has led to questions about why it took so long for the story to be recorded. The holiday's eight-day duration has also been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it is unrelated to the oil miracle.
The menorah, a nine-branched candelabra with one helper shamash, is lit during Hanukkah. While traditionally, the menorah was lit with sacred oil, most people today use wax or soy candles. The menorah is lit after sundown and must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. The lighting of the menorah symbolises the miracle of the oil and serves as a reminder of the Jewish victory and the rededication of their temple.
The Hanukkah prayers or blessings are said while holding the shammash before lighting the menorah. The candles are added to the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first. Hanukkah candles can be of any colour, but blue and white are often used as they are colours associated with Judaism and Israel.
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Frequently asked questions
Nerot.
The correct term is "hanukkiah" or "Hanukkah menorah".
The Hanukkah menorah is lit after sundown, ideally at nightfall, defined in Jewish tradition as when three stars appear.
The shamash candle is the ninth candle on the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the "helper" candle, which is used to light the other eight.
Hanukkah candles can be any color, but blue and white are often used as they are colors associated with Judaism and the State of Israel.
