▷ How Many Hanukkah Candles Do We Light Tonight?

The answer to the question “How Many Hanukkah Candles Do We Light Tonight?” depends on various factors, such as the night of Hanukkah, the way you are celebrating, and the type of candelabra you are using. Knowing the details allows you to accurately determine the correct amount of candles for the evening.

Table of Contents

1 General Rules for Lighting Hanukkah Candles

General Rules for Lighting Hanukkah Candles

Night of Hanukkah

You should light a different number of candles per night. On the first night of Hanukkah, you should light one candle, and for each night after, you should increase the number of candles by one until you have lit eight candles on the eighth night.

The Menorah

Your type of menorah, or candelabrum, also determines how many Hanukkah candles you should light. Traditional menorahs have nine candleholders – one for each candle that will be lit over the eight days of Hanukkah, plus a ninth holder known as the “shamash”, or the “guardian”. On each night, you should light one candle on the left side of the shamash, followed by two candles on the second night, three candles on the third, and so on until the eighth night when you light all eight candles plus the shamash.

Type of Celebration

If you are celebrating Hanukkah with a special guest or in an especially festive way, you may choose to start the evening with two candles. This is not required, but it can be an enjoyable way to commemorate the holiday.

In short, the answer to the question “How Many Hanukkah Candles Do We Light Tonight?” is ultimately determined by the night of Hanukkah, the way you are celebrating, and the type of menorah you are using. The general rule is that on each night of Hanukkah, you should increase the number of candles by one until you reach a total of eight candles on the final night. Additionally, you are welcome to start the evening with two candles if you are celebrating with special guests or with an especially festive atmosphere.

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