Tyler Brooks
The Jewish festival of Chanukah (or Hanukkah) commemorates the miracle of a one-day supply of oil miraculously burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. The celebration of the festival centres around the lighting of the chanukiah, a special menorah for Chanukah, which holds eight candles plus a ninth helper candle, or shamash. The shamash is lit first and used to light the other eight candles, with an additional candle being lit each night, from right to left.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 (+1 helper candle) |
| Placement | In a window, on a table, or outside your door |
| Timing | Just after sundown each night of Hanukkah |
| Direction | Right to left on the first night, left to right on subsequent nights |
| Order | Newest candle is lit first |
| Blessing | A blessing is said over the candle lighting |
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What You'll Learn
Placement of the menorah
The placement of the menorah during Chanukah has varied due to historical and safety reasons. Ideally, the menorah should be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance. However, due to the prevalence of anti-Semitism throughout Jewish history, it became customary in many communities to place the menorah inside the house, either near the entrance or on a table.
To publicize the miracle of Chanukah, large outdoor menorahs are often erected by Jewish organizations in towns and public spaces. Similarly, individuals can place their menorahs in a window facing the street to share the miracle with passersby. Some people also opt for electric menorahs on their windowsills, especially if they have pets, to avoid any fire hazards.
The placement of the candles on the menorah itself also holds significance. The shamash, or helper candle, occupies a distinct ninth spot, usually at a different elevation from the other eight candles. On the first night of Chanukah, the shamash is placed in its designated spot, typically in the centre, along with another candle on the rightmost branch. Each subsequent night, a new candle is added from right to left, with the newest candle being lit first and then proceeding to the right.
There are differing opinions on the arrangement of the candles. Some communities follow the right and left orientations of the observer from the outside, while others follow the perspective of the person lighting the candles from the inside. The shamash candle is lit last in Sephardi communities, where an extra candle is used initially for lighting the other candles.
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Timing of candle lighting
The timing of candle lighting for Chanukah is significant and is generally done after sunset when it is dark. The main commandment of Chanukah is to light the candles each night of the eight-day festival.
There are differing opinions on the exact time to light the candles. Some sources suggest that lighting should occur at sunset or shortly after, while others state that it should be done 10 to 25 minutes after sunset. The Ritva 21b points out that the timing is dependent on the time and place and is not an objective time period.
If one is unable to light the candles until very late, when everyone is already asleep, it is still possible to light them without making a blessing. However, once the night has passed, the lights cannot be lit, and the mitzvah cannot be made up.
In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and then the shamash, or helper candle, is lit last. The first night's candle is placed in the right-most spot, and each night, another candle is added so that by the eighth night, all nine candles are lit.
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The shamash candle
After all the candles have been lit, the shamash is not typically blown out. Instead, it continues to burn alongside the other candles, maintaining its readiness to "serve" if any of the other candles blow out. This practice also ensures that the sanctity of the mitzvah lights is preserved, as it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah lights for any practical purpose.
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Blessings and prayers
The menorah is lit after sundown, except on Fridays when it is lit before the Shabbat candles. It must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. The shamash, or helper candle, 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 designating the first night. On each subsequent night, another candle is added, so that by the eighth and final night, all nine candles are lit.
There are two or three blessings (prayers) said while holding the shamash, immediately before the menorah is lit. The third blessing is only said on the first night. Here are the blessings:
- Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
- Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
- (Only recited on the first night) Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz’man hazeh.
- Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.
The blessings are said from right to left but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first.
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Direction of lighting
The direction of lighting the Chanukah candles is an important part of the ritual. The menorah should be placed in a window facing the street, allowing passers-by to see the candles. This act symbolises the publicising of the miracle of Hanukkah.
The shamash, or helper candle, is placed in the centre of the menorah and is used to light the other candles. It is lit first, using a match, lighter, or another flame source. The shamash is lit first on all eight nights of Hanukkah.
On the first night, only one other candle is lit, placed in the right-most spot. Each subsequent night, a new candle is added from right to left, with the shamash being used to light each new candle from left to right. This is done after sundown when it is dark.
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is used to light the left-most candle first, representing the current night of Hanukkah. In Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the other candles, and the shamash is lit last, with the extra candle then blown out.
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Frequently asked questions
The first candle on the first night of Hanukkah is placed in the right-most spot and lit using the shamash.
The shamash is the helper candle, which is placed in the centre of the menorah and used to light the other candles.
On the eighth night, you light all of the candles, starting from the far left.
