Tyler Brooks
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred Jewish tradition, commemorating the miracle of a single day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. The correct way to set up menorah candles is to place them in the menorah from right to left, but they are lit from left to right. The shamash, or \helper\ candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different elevation and is used to light the other candles. The shamash is lit first, followed by the blessings, and then the other candles. The newest candle is always lit first, so on the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, followed by the candle on the far right, and so on. The menorah should be placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door, ideally between 12 and 40 inches off the ground, and away from children and flammable materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of menorah | Oil, candle, or electric |
| Location | Central doorway, windowsill facing the street, or outside your door |
| Height | Between 12 and 40 inches off the ground |
| Surface | Sturdy and fireproof |
| Timing | After sunset, except on Friday when it is before sunset |
| Number of candles | 8, plus 1 extra |
| Candle placement | From right to left |
| Candle lighting | From left to right, newest candle first |
| Shamash placement | Centre or at a different elevation |
| Shamash lighting | First, using a match, lighter, or another flame source |
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What You'll Learn
Candle placement
The placement of candles on a menorah is a ritual with very specific steps, which differ slightly each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. 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.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place the shamash in its designated spot, usually in the centre, and another candle in the right-most spot. The shamash is lit first and then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash. The newest candle is always lit first, and on the eighth night, all candles will be lit, starting from the far left.
The menorah should be placed in a central doorway, on a chair or small table near the doorpost opposite the mezuzah, or on a windowsill facing the street. If placed on a windowsill, the window should be less than thirty feet above ground level. The menorah should be between 12 and 40 inches off the ground, out of the reach of children, and not near flammable materials.
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Candle lighting order
The candle-lighting ritual for Hanukkah is a joyous occasion, commemorating the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door, ensuring it is far from children and flammable materials. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right. The shamash, or ""helper" candle, is placed in the centre or at a different elevation and is lit first, using a match, lighter, or another flame source. It is then used to light the other candles, with the newest candle lit first. The shamash is not blown out but is left lit, adjacent to the other candles, in case it is needed to preserve the sanctity of the mitzvah lights.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle in the right-most spot. On the second night, a third candle is placed second from the right, and the candle on the far right is lit first, followed by the shamash, which is replaced in its spot. This pattern is repeated each night, with another candle added so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is the first candle lit, and it is 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 the shamash is lit last. The blessings are said before the candles are lit.
The menorah should be lit just after sunset, when all Jewish holidays begin. The exception is Friday night, the start of Shabbat, when the menorah should be lit before sunset as lighting the menorah is considered work, which should not be done after Shabbat begins.
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Blessings
The blessings are said before the candles are lit. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and 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.
On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited, and then two blessings are recited on every night thereafter. The blessings are as follows:
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
- Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh. Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.
- Baruch atah Adonai, elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh. 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.
The Chabad custom is to place the menorah in a doorway facing the Mezuzah in a central location. If the menorah is in a window, it is a way of proudly displaying Jewish heritage and traditions.
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Candle type
The type of candle you use for your menorah is important. If you are using an oil menorah, the oil cups must be filled with enough oil to burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights and up to an hour and a half on Friday evenings. If you are using a candle menorah, the candles should be large enough to burn for the required time.
For the candle menorah, you will need a total of 44 candles per menorah for the ritual. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45. The candles can be any colour, but some choose to use traditional blue and white candles.
The shamash, or helper candle, is lit first and used to light the other eight candles. It is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different elevation. Many Jews use a beeswax candle for the shamash.
Electric menorahs are great for display purposes, but real flames fuelled by wax or oil are needed to fulfil the mitzvah.
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Location
The location of the menorah is an important consideration when setting it up. The traditional placement of the menorah is in a window, facing the street, to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah to passers-by. However, it is important to ensure that the window is less than thirty feet above ground level and that the menorah is placed on a sturdy, fireproof surface out of the reach of children and away from flammable materials.
Another option for placing the menorah is in a central doorway, either on a chair or a small table near the doorpost, opposite the mezuzah. This way, when passing through the doorway, one is surrounded by the mitzvot of the mezuzah and the menorah. If the doorway leads to the kitchen, this is also an option.
If you are setting up a menorah in a place of business, it can be placed on a front counter. For students living in dormitories or their own apartments, the menorah can be kindled in their rooms or in a communal dining area.
When travelling and staying in a Jewish home, it is customary to contribute towards the menorah expenses and participate in the lighting of the host's menorah. Alternatively, you can light your own menorah.
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Frequently asked questions
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside your door. It should be placed on a sturdy, fireproof surface that is out of the reach of children and not near flammable materials.
You will need a total of 44 candles per menorah to complete the ritual on all eight nights of Hanukkah. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45.
The shamash, or \"helper\" candle, is lit first using a match, lighter, or another flame source. The shamash is then used to light the other candles, working from left to right. On the first night of Hanukkah, there should be two candles lit in the menorah: the shamash and another candle that designates it as the first night.
