Hanukkah is a popular Jewish holiday celebrated with lighting the traditional ’Hanukkiah’ with special blessings and rituals. Lighting the Hanukkiah - a nine-branched candelabra – is the most recognizable practice of the holiday and has been done for centuries with a special ceremony. While lighting the Hanukkiah can seem complex and overwhelming, it is actually quite simple when broken down into steps.
Steps on How to Light Up a Hanukkiah:
- Gather the candles: You will need to get a box of Hanukkiah candle which comprises nine candles. One is known as the shammash or “servant” candle which is used to light the other eight candles.
- Position the candles: Place the shammash in the center and the other eight candles around it.
- Light the shammash: Either light the shammash with a lighter or a match, or ask someone to do it for you in case you have difficulty lighting it.
- Blessings: Begin the blessings by saying “Blessed Are You Lord Our God, King of the Universe, Who Sanctified us with His Commandments and Commanded Us to kindle the Hanukkah Lights.”
- Keep the candles lit: Light the candles, beginning with the far right one and then working from right to left. Lift the shammash candle with two fingers and use it to light the others.
Additional Tips:
- Though ideally, the Hanukkiah should be placed in a doorway or window facing the public street or entrance of the house, you can light your Hanukkiah wherever you feel comfortable and safe.
- Make sure to keep the shammash lit until the end of the ceremony.
- It is customary to wave the flame in varying directions, typically up, down and sideways.
- Be safe when handling a fire.
Lighting a Hanukkiah is one of the most symbolic practices of Hanukkah. Through this ceremony, Jews around the world remember the miracles performed by the Maccabees over two thousand years ago. With a little know-how and the right steps, this practice can be easily carried out yearly with warmth and love.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.