Hanukkah, or the festival of lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees’ victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE. On each night of the holiday, a special blessing called the Shehechiyanu is recited, and a single or multiple candles or oil lamps are lit. But how many candles in Hanukkah are required to be lit?
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Candles in Hanukkah: How Many Should You Be Lighting?
According to Jewish tradition, during the eight days of Hanukkah, one candle should be lit on the first night, two on the second night, and so on until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night. This creates the distinctive flickering effect that is so characteristic of the Hanukkah celebration.
The eight candles in Hanukkah are traditionally placed on a special nine-branched Holder called a Menorah or Chanukiah. While one of the branches, typically located in the center, is called the Shamash or servant, the other eight branches are referred to as the Main Lights or Brachot.
The Number of Candles You Should Be Placing In Your Menorah
The total number of candles you should place in your menorah depends on where you live, what day Hanukkah starts on, and the type of Hanukkah celebration you would like to have. For example, if you live in Israel, you would place one candle in your menorah on the first night of Hanukkah and then two, three, and so on until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night. If you live outside of Israel, it is traditional to place two candles in your menorah on the first night then three, four and so on until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night.
If you would like to make your Hanukkah celebration even more special, you can use a grand menorah with 9 branches instead of a regular menorah with 8 branches. The grand menorah requires placing three candles in your menorah on the first night and then four, five and so on until all nine candles are lit on the eighth night.
Which Candles Should You Be Lighting First?
When lighting your menorah, make sure to light the Shamash branch first, then the Brachot. It is also important to light the menorah from right to left, as that is the traditional order for Hanukkah observances.
Alternatives to Candle Lights
In case you don’t have access to the traditional Hanukkah candles or a menorah, you can still celebrate the holiday and observe the customary lighting ritual by using electricity or battery operated candles.
In conclusion, when celebrating Hanukkah, you should light a single candle on the first night and then two, three and so on until all eight candles are lit on the eighth night. You should always light from right to left and if you so choose, use a grand menorah with nine branches instead of the regular one with eight branches. You can also opt for electricity or battery-operated candles instead of traditional ones. No matter how you choose to celebrate Hanukkah, the most important thing is to remember and honor the meaning and spirit of the holiday.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.