Hanukkah is a popular Jewish holiday that is celebrated around the world. It commemorates the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek oppressors in 165 BCE. Part of the celebration involves lighting candles and doing religious ceremonies. One of the most common questions for people celebrating Hanukkah is, how many candles do you light?
According to tradition, each night of Hanukkah is celebrated with the lighting of one additional candle on the menorah. On the first night, one candle is lit, then two on the second night, and so on. On the last night, eight candles are lit. The ninth candle is the shamash, which is used to light the candles but does not count towards the eight total. The shamash is usually placed in the center, or in a higher or lower position than the other candles.
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Blessings Over the Lights on Hanukkah
The blessings over the lights are essential for a proper Hanukkah. On each night of Hanukkah, a blessing is said over the candles before they are lit. On the first night, the blessing begins with the phrase “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.” On subsequent nights, a shorter version is recited starting with the phrase “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.”
When Do You Light The Candles On Hanukkah?
The Hanukkah candles should be lit after it gets dark outside. The tradition is that the candles should be lit in the window so that the light can be seen from outside. According to the Talmud, all of the Hanukkah lights should be placed on the same level, although modern practice has varied according to individual preference.
The Joy of Hanukkah Lights
The lighting of the Hanukkah candles symbolizes our joy in celebrating the miracles of the holiday. It is also a reminder of the Maccabees’ victory over their oppressors. By lighting the Hanukkah candles, we are remembering the rededication of the temple and the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days.
The Hanukkah Candle Progression
On the first night, one candle is lit. On the second night, two candles are lit with the shamash in the center. On the third night, we add the third candle to the right side of the shamash. On the fourth night, the fourth candle is added to the left side of the shamash. We continue in this alternating pattern until all eight candles have been lit. This arrangement of the candles shows that during the holiday of Hanukkah, we gradually become more illuminated.
Rules For Lighting the Candles
It is important to remember that Chanukah candles should only be lit with pre-existing flame, such as a match or a spark from one of the candles already lit. It is also important not to let the candles burn for too long after lighting, as this could be a safety hazard. It’s best to just let the candle burn long enough for the blessings to be recited and about half an hour afterward.
Hanukkah candles bring brightness and joy into our lives during this special holiday. Lighting the candles is one of the most important parts of the celebration and is a time to stop and reflect on the miracles of the holiday. The Hanukkah candles remind us that no matter how dark it may be, there is always light in our lives.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.