Ben Carter
Hanukkah, meaning dedication in Hebrew, is an eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate 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 has eight branches, with an additional candle—the shamash, or helper candle—bringing the total to nine. The shamash candle is lit first, followed by the other candles, which are lit from left to right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of nights | Eight |
| Number of candles | Nine |
| Direction of placing candles | From right to left |
| Direction of lighting candles | From left to right |
| Placement of the first night's candle | Right-most spot |
| Placement of the shamash candle | Center |
| Timing | After sundown |
| Placement | Window, table, or outside the door |
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What You'll Learn
Candles are placed right to left
The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, including the shamash, or "helper" candle, which has its own designated spot, usually in the centre. The shamash is lit first and is 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 rightmost spot. Each night, another candle is added so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit. The blessings are said before the candles are lit.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles, starting with the leftmost one. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle—not part of the menorah—is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash is lit last, and the extra candle is blown out.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door. Many Jewish organizations also erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns. The menorah should be lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting it during Shabbat, which is forbidden according to Jewish law.
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Candles are lit left to right
Hanukkah, or "dedication" in Hebrew, is an eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate 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 celebration involves lighting candles on a menorah, a type of candelabra with a specific number of branches.
The menorah holds nine candles in total: the shamash, or "helper" candle, and one candle for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The shamash is placed in the centre or in a raised position and is used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is placed in the right-most spot and lit using the shamash. Each night, another candle is added to the left of the previous one, so that by the eighth night, all nine candles are lit.
While the candles are placed from right to left, they are lit from left to right. This means that the newest candle is always lit first, with the shamash being lit last in Sephardi communities. The candles are typically lit after sundown, although there are adjustments made when Hanukkah overlaps with Shabbat, as lighting a fire during Shabbat is forbidden according to Jewish law.
The lighting of the menorah is accompanied by traditional blessings and procedures. Many families follow the candle lighting with traditional Hanukkah songs, playing dreidel, eating special foods, or opening gifts. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside the door to spread light to others.
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Shamash is the helper candle
The shamash is the "helper" candle, also known as the "servant" or "attendant" candle. It is used to light the other eight candles on the Hanukkah menorah. The shamash is placed in the centre of the menorah or at a different height to distinguish it from the other candles. It is lit first and is used to light the other candles from left to right. After the other candles are lit, the shamash is placed back in its spot, leaving it lit. The shamash is not a mitzvah candle, but it is important because it enables the other candles to form a mitzvah. It symbolises the idea that each person has the potential to be a shamash, or "helper", by serving and impacting the lives of others.
The shamash is typically lit just after dark on each night of Hanukkah. However, on Fridays, the shamash and the other candles are lit before sunset to avoid lighting them during Shabbat, which is forbidden according to Jewish law. The shamash is usually lit first, followed by the candle representing the current night of Hanukkah, and then the remaining candles from left to right. On the first night, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle to indicate that it is the first night. On the eighth and final night, all nine candles, including the shamash, are lit.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as a hanukkiah, has nine branches, with eight of them holding candles that symbolise the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth branch holds the shamash. The shamash is placed in a way that distinguishes it from the other candles, either by being at a different height or set apart to the side. This distinction symbolises the idea that a person who serves others becomes great by using their skills to elevate others.
The shamash is an integral part of the Hanukkah celebration, as it is the instrument that enables the other candles to be lit and form a mitzvah. It represents the miracle of Hanukkah and the idea of spreading light to others. The shamash is also a reminder of the responsibility to teach, impact, and serve others, just as it serves as the helper candle during the Hanukkah candle-lighting ritual.
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Blessings are said before lighting
Blessings are said before the Hanukkah candles are lit. 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 or in a raised position.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle to the right of it. On the second night, the left-most candle is lit first, followed by the right-most candle, and the shamash is placed back in its spot. This pattern is repeated for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all nine candles are lit, with the shamash in the centre.
The blessings are said while holding the shamash, before the other candles are lit. The traditional candle lighting service consists of saying all three blessings on the first night and only the first two blessings for the remaining seven nights. The blessings are as follows:
> 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, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
>
> 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, Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman 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.
> Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.
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Hanukkah lasts eight nights
Hanukkah is a joyous eight-day 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 festival is marked by the lighting of candles on each of the eight nights, with the number of candles increasing by one each night. This ritual is performed using a menorah, a special candleholder with eight branches, plus an additional central branch for the "helper" candle, or shamash.
On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle to mark the first night. The first night's candle is placed in the rightmost spot and lit using the shamash. On the second night, a new candle is added, lit first, and placed second from the right, with the first night's candle relit and placed in the rightmost spot. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first and placing it to the left of the previous night's candle. By the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit together.
The menorah is typically placed in a window, on a table, or outside one's door. It is lit just after sundown each night, though many families wait until everyone is home together. On Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The blessings are said before the candles are lit, and traditional Hanukkah songs are often sung afterward.
The miracle of Hanukkah is also publicised by Jewish organisations, which erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns. The lighting of the menorah symbolises the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days after the Maccabees' victory, when there was only enough oil for one day. This ritual is a reminder of the ancient rabbis' belief in the importance of publicising the miracle of Hanukkah and a way to spread light and joy during the festival.
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Frequently asked questions
The shamash, or "helper" candle, is lit first. It is then used to light the other candles from left to right, with the newest candle being lit first. On the first night, there is only one candle on the far right lit, and on the final night, all candles are lit.
The Hanukkah candles are traditionally lit after sundown, when it is dark. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting it during Shabbat, which is forbidden according to Jewish law.
The menorah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, on a table, or outside the door. It should be placed somewhere safe, away from children and flammable materials.
