▷ How Many Candles Do I Light Tonight For Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the temple in ancient Israel. The holiday, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting the menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches. One candle is lit each night of Hanukkah for a total of eight nights. So that brings up the question – how many candles do you light on each night of Hanukkah?

The answer is simple: each night of Hanukkah one more candle is lit until all eight candles are burning. The ninth candle, known as the “servitor” or “shamash,” is used to light the others.

The ritual of lighting the candles is also known as the Hallel blessing, which is said as each candle is lit. This prayer praises God and expresses thanks for his role in leading the Jewish people to victory in the Maccabean Revolt.

Table of Contents

1 How to Light Hanukkah Candles

How to Light Hanukkah Candles

The tradition for lighting Hanukkah candles begins on the eve of the 25th of Kislev, the day on which tradition says that the miracle of the oil in the Hanukkah menorah took place. On this night, all eight candles must be lit simultaneously, in the following order:

The first candle is on the right side.
The second candle is on the left side of the first candle.
The third candle is placed between the first and second candles.
The fourth candle is then placed to the left of the second candle.
This pattern is repeated for each candle.

The ninth candle is placed to the far right, separate from the others. This is known as the “shamash” (“servitor”) and is used to light the other eight candles.

The ritual of lighting the candles is performed in the following order:

Step One

Light the “shamash” and then recite the blessings.

Step Two

Light the candles from right to left, starting with the one which is farthest to the right.

Step Three

When all the candles are lit, the Hanukkah prayer, “Al HaNissim”, is recited.

In conclusion, the answer to how many candles do I light tonight for Hanukkah? is simple – one more than the night before, for a total of eight candles. This joyful and meaningful tradition is a special way to celebrate Hanukkah and remember the many miracles of God.

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