Hanukkah is one of the most important Jewish holidays. The festival of lights is celebrated with prayer, gifts, food, and the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah. One of the most important aspects of the celebration is the lighting of the Menorah’s candles, but many people are not aware of the required number of candles. How many Hanukkah candles do you need?
How Many Hanukkah Candles Do You Need?
You will need to purchase enough Hanukkah candles for each night of the holiday, the 8th night included. Generally, that means that you will need to purchase 9 Hanukkah candles.
The Required Number of Candles
The number of candles is based on the number of nights Hanukkah is celebrated, which is 8 nights. On the first night of Hanukkah, you will light one candle. On the second night, two candles are lit, and so forth, until the 8th night, when you light all 8 candles plus the Shamash (a helper candle).
Therefore, to fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) of lighting the Hanukkah Menorah, you will need to buy or use a total of 9 Hanukkah candles: 8 candles for the 8 days of Hanukkah, plus one Shamash.
Additional Candles
- If you want a more visually appealing Menorah, you may choose to buy 10 candles instead; 9 regular candles for each night of Hanukkah, and one large or fancy candle as the Shamash.
- You may also choose to light additional candles each night, based on your family’s custom. Some families elect to use a total of 12 candles in the Menorah, adding additional ‘Kindle’ candles to the regular 8. This is often done to honor guests or special events throughout the holiday.
In summary, for the basics of lighting the Hanukkah Menorah, you will need to purchase a box of 9 Hanukkah candles or a set of 9 Hanukkah candles and holder. If you would like to use additional candles for a more visually pleasing menorah or add extra Kindle candles, there are many options available. With that being said, the most important thing is to enjoy the festival of lights and all its traditions.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.