Ben Carter
The first candle on the menorah is lit at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, a Jewish festival of lights and feast of dedication. The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, with eight candles representing the eight nights of the festival, and a ninth helper candle, or shamash, used to light the others. The shamash is lit first, and then used to light the first night's candle, which is placed in the right-most spot. The menorah should be lit within half an hour of nightfall, and ideally, everyone should be present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to light the menorah | Just after dark each night of Hanukkah |
| Placement of the menorah | In a window, on a table, or outside your door |
| Number of candles | Nine in total, with eight representing the eight nights of Hanukkah and one “helper” candle called the shamash |
| Placement of the first candle | In the holder on the far right of the menorah |
| Lighting order | Light the shamash first, then use it to light the other candles from left to right |
| Blessings | Three blessings on the first night and two on every night thereafter |
| Timing | Ideally, light the menorah at the earliest opportunity; no later than half an hour before dawn |
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What You'll Learn
The shamash candle is lit first
The shamash candle, also known as the "helper" candle, is typically lit first during the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony. This candle is placed in a central or raised position on the menorah, distinguishing it from the other eight candles that represent the eight nights of the holiday.
The shamash holds a special role as the candle used to light the other candles. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first, and it is then used to light the other candles from left to right. This order of lighting is significant, as it symbolises the progression of the holiday, with each night adding another candle to the menorah.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, followed by the candle placed in the far right position on the menorah. This candle placement represents the current night of Hanukkah. On the second night, the shamash is again lit first, followed by the candle second from the right, and then the candle on the far right is relit. This pattern continues for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first and then returning to light the previous nights' candles.
The timing of lighting the menorah is also important. Ideally, the menorah should be lit just after sunset each night of Hanukkah. However, many families may wait until all members are present before lighting the candles. On Fridays, due to the Shabbat, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting fires during the Shabbat.
The lighting of the shamash candle is a significant part of the Hanukkah ceremony. It symbolises the miracle of the oil burning for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. By lighting the shamash first, it sets the stage for the illumination of the other candles, creating a warm and festive atmosphere during the Festival of Lights.
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Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle that designates it as the first night. The shamash is placed in its own designated spot, usually in the centre, and the first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot.
On each subsequent night, another candle is added, so that on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but lit from left to right. This is because the right-most candle is the first to be lit, followed by the one second from the right, and so on. The shamash is used to light the other candles and is lit first.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside one's door. It is meant to spread light to others, so it should be placed somewhere visible. The candles are lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah, although many families wait until everyone is home together. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat, which is forbidden according to Jewish law.
The lighting of the menorah commemorates the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem after the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks.
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The menorah is lit just after dark
The menorah is lit at sunset or just after dark on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The first candle is placed in the holder on the far right of the menorah and lit with the shamash, or "helper candle". The shamash is then returned to its spot, leaving it lit. The shamash is always lit first and used to light the other candles.
On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, all candles are lit, starting from the far left.
The menorah should be placed in a window, on a table, or outside the front door. It is traditional to linger around the menorah for about half an hour after it is lit, sharing Chanukah stories and enjoying traditional foods like latkes (fried potato pancakes) or sufganiot (fried donuts).
The lighting of the menorah commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks, when there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple, but it miraculously burned for eight days.
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The menorah should be placed in a window
The menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The nine branches hold eight candles, one for each night of the holiday, and a "helper" candle, or "shamash", used to light the others.
The menorah is meant to spread light to others and is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside your door. It should be placed somewhere safe, away from children and flammable materials. The shamash candle is usually placed in the centre or on a higher or lower plane than the other eight candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, followed by the first night's candle, placed in the right-most spot. On the second night, the shamash is lit, then the candle second from the right, and then the far right is lit again. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, all candles are lit, starting from the far left.
The menorah should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. On Fridays, it is lit before sundown to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat. It is traditional to recite blessings over the candles before they are lit.
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Blessings are said before the candles are lit
The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold candles or oil lamps that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday. On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and another candle designating the first night. The shamash is placed in the centre, and the first night's candle is placed to the far right.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy with your commandments, commanding us to kindle (light) the Hanukkah lights
The second blessing is as follows:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-asah nisim la-avoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season
The third blessing, Shehechiyanu, is only recited on the first night of Hanukkah:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season
After the blessings, the candles are lit. The shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The newest candle is lit first.
The menorah is lit after sundown, and it should burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. However, on Friday, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, while it is still light out.
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Frequently asked questions
The first candle on the menorah is lit just after dark on the first night of Hanukkah.
The shamash (or "helper" candle) is lit first, using a match, lighter, or another flame source. It is then used to light the first candle, which is placed in the holder on the far right.
Before lighting the first candle, it is traditional to recite three blessings on the first night and then two blessings on every night thereafter. The first blessing is:
> 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.
After the shamash and the first candle have been lit, the second blessing is recited:
> 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.
Finally, the third blessing is:
> 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.
