Hanukkah is celebrated each year to commemorate the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem by Maccabees during the 2nd century BC. The miracle of the lights during this holiday is commemorated by the lighting of the traditional Hanukkah menorah. But the question remains, how many candles are lit during Hanukkah?
How Many Candles Are Lit During Hanukkah?
The traditional menorah used for Hanukkah has nine candle holders. Eight candles are lit during the holiday, one for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, along with a ninth candle, known as the shamash, used for lighting the other candles.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash, the ninth candle, is lit on the rightmost holder. The shamash is placed in the middle of the menorah with the eight other candles surrounding it. Each night of Hanukkah, another candle is added to the menorah, lighting the candle from right to left. On the last night of Hanukkah all eight candles and the shamash are lit.
The Blessing for the Hanukkah Candles
It is the tradition to bless the Hanukkah candles with the following prayers. Before lighting the first candle, the following is said:
- Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
For each night of Hanukkah the following short blessing is said:
- Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam sheazman hazeh.
At the end of the holiday after the last candle is lit the following is said:
- Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam shehecheyanu v’kiyemanu v’higi’anu la’zman hazeh.
In conclusion, during Hanukkah, eight candles and a ninth shamash candle are lit on the traditional menorah, with the shamash lit on the rightmost holder. Each night, a candle is added and lit from right to left. At each lighting, the traditional blessing is said, ending after eight nights with an additional blessing to commemorate the end of the holiday.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.