Tyler Brooks
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles: the shamash, or helper candle, and one candle for each night of the celebration. The shamash is lit first, followed by the other candles, which are lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Nights | Eight |
| Number of Candles | Nine (including the shamash) |
| Direction of Placement | Right to left |
| Direction of Lighting | Left to right |
| Timing | After sundown, when it is dark |
| Location | Window, table, or outside the door |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash, or 'helper' candle
The shamash, or helper candle, is the ninth candle for the Hanukkah menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah or Chanukiah. The shamash is the candle used to light the other eight candles of the menorah. The shamash is usually distinguished from the other eight candles in some way, either by being offset to one side or raised above the others. However, this does not indicate that the shamash is more important than the other candles. In fact, it is the eight candles representing each night of the holiday that constitute the core of the mitzvah.
The shamash is typically placed in the centre of the menorah and is lit first. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles from left to right. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle that is not part of the menorah is used to light the candles representing the nights, and then the shamash is lit last. The shamash is then used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one.
The shamash is also known as the "servant" candle. The word shamash comes from the Hebrew word for "helper". Interestingly, the word shamash also refers to the sexton or the person who helps run synagogue services. The colour of the shamash candle may differ from the other candles, although this is not a requirement and is simply a custom for some.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is used to light the candle in the holder on the far right. The shamash is then placed back in its spot, leaving it lit. On the second night, the candle second from the right is lit, followed by the candle on the far right. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all of the candles are lit, starting from the far left.
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Placement of the candles in the menorah
The Hanukkah menorah has eight branches, with an additional shamash, or "helper" candle, which has its own designated spot, usually in the centre. This means there are nine candles in total. The shamash is lit first and is used to light the other candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle in the rightmost spot. Each night, another candle is added to the right, so that on the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right, so that the newest candle is always lit first.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside the door. It is meant to spread light to others, so it should be placed somewhere visible. However, it should be kept away from active children and flammable materials.
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. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one.
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The direction in which the candles are lit
The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, with the shamash, or "helper" candle, in the centre. The shamash is lit first and used to light the other candles. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right.
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, the shamash is used to light the candle second from the right, and then the candle on the far right is lit. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash is lit last. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door, so that it can spread light to others. It is usually lit after sundown, when it is dark, but there are exceptions. As Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, it will overlap with Shabbat, and Jewish law forbids lighting a fire during Shabbat. Therefore, on Friday evenings, the menorah is lit before sundown, and on Saturday evenings, it is lit after sundown when Shabbat has ended.
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The timing of the candle-lighting
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle to mark the first night. The shamash is typically placed in the centre, while the first night's candle is placed in the rightmost spot. The shamash is lit first, followed by the first night's candle, using the shamash's flame. This order is important, as it symbolises the sanctity of the ritual.
On subsequent nights, an additional candle is added to the menorah, starting from the right and moving left. Each night, the newest candle is lit first, followed by the previous nights' candles, using the shamash. By the eighth and final night, all nine candles—the shamash and eight others—are lit, filling the menorah.
The lighting of the candles is accompanied by traditional blessings and rituals. Many families recite blessings before lighting the candles, thanking God for the miracle of Hanukkah and the opportunity to celebrate it. It is also customary to place the menorah in a window facing the street or in a public space, symbolising the publicisation of the miracle.
However, there are slight adjustments to the timing on Friday and Saturday nights due to the overlap with Shabbat. According to Jewish law, lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden. Therefore, on Friday evenings, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, while there are differing opinions on the order of lighting on Saturday night, depending on the customs of one's community.
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Blessings and rituals associated with the candle-lighting
Hanukkah, or the "Festival of Lights", is celebrated by lighting candles on a special candelabra called a menorah. The menorah holds eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and a ninth "helper" candle, or shamash, 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.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, and the first night's candle, which is placed in the right-most spot. The shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the first night's candle. Then, the blessings are recited. On each subsequent night, a new candle is added to the menorah, so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
The blessings are recited before the candles are lit. On the first night, three blessings are recited, and on each subsequent night, two blessings are recited. The blessings are as follows:
First blessing:
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Second blessing:
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors at this time in ancient days.
Third blessing (recited only on the first night):
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
After the candles are lit, it is customary to recite the paragraph Ha-neirot Hallalu, which explains the purpose of lighting the menorah and the prohibition of making practical use of its light. This is followed by the singing of Ma'oz Tzur, a traditional Hanukkah song.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside one's door, so that it is visible from the street. This is done to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah, as the ancient rabbis felt it was important to spread the message of Hanukkah to the wider community.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right.
The shamash, or "helper" candle, usually has its own spot in the centre of the menorah.
The shamash is lit first. It is then used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one.
The candles are lit after sundown, once it is dark. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat.
Before lighting the candles, it is traditional to thank God for the miracles of Hanukkah:
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the following blessing is added:
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
