▷ How Long Do You Light Hanukkah Candles Burn?

When it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, the traditional lighting of the Hanukkah candles is one of the most important rituals. Every night of Hanukkah, special candles, known as ‘Hanukkiahs’ are lit to commemorate the Festival of Lights. But how long do you light Hanukkah candles burn?

The Hanukkah candles are lit for approximately half an hour each evening of the eight-day festival. The first candle is lit on the first night, in a special ceremony known as ‘hadlakat nerot’. This is the ceremony in which each night, the family adds one more candle to the Hanukkiah, until all eight candles are lit on the eighth and final night.

The Hanukkiah should be placed somewhere that the candles can be seen from the outside. This is because the traditional custom is that the Hanukkiah is illuminated to remind the community of the miracle. Furthermore, the candles should be lit in the correct order and the newest candle is lit first. Each night, a new candle is lit from the ‘shamash’, which is the central candle of the Hanukkiah.

The exact time that candles should be lit varies depending on the time of year. In the winter months, the candles may be lit slightly earlier than in the summer months. However, it is important to note that candles should not be lit after sunset, and should not be extinguished until after nightfall.

In terms of the length of time that the candles should be lit, it is usually within a half-hour range. Generally, the custom is to light the candles just prior to sunset, and to then allow them to burn for about a half hour. During this time, prayers are said and songs are sung. The whole family usually gathers around the Hanukkiah to take part in these activities.

When the half hour has passed, the candles can be blown out. The freshly lit one first, and then counting down from the newest one back to the oldest. This is done by covering the wick of the candle and blowing, so that the wind does not extinguish them. It is important to take care not to blow out the flames through the smoke as it can be dangerous.

The ceremony of lighting the Hanukkah candles is a special occasion that brings people together to remember the miracles of the past. The precise rules for when and how long to light the candles varies from person to person and family to family. Even so, the customary length of time to light the candles is usually half an hour. Lighting the Hanukkiah is a beautiful ritual that holds an important place in the Jewish tradition.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.