Hanukkah is an eight-day long celebration, and lighting candles each day is a major part of the observance. Lighting candles is a way to remember the miracle of oil that happened when the Maccabees won their battle against the Greeks. While it’s easy enough to light the candles during Hanukkah, there is an important tradition associated with them that you must follow. The question of which direction to light the candles is one that has to be answered correctly if you want to observe the holiday correctly.
In Hanukkah, tradition dictates that the candles must be lit from right to left. This is an indication of a new day beginning, similar to the way that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. When lighting the candles each day, you will start by using the lighter or match to ignite the candle on the far right, and then will light each candle moving from right to left. This should be done in a clockwise direction when possible, though it is acceptable to go in either direction so long as you are moving from right to left.
The reason that you must light from right to left is to reflect the Hebrew language. In Hebrew, words are written from right to left instead of left to right as it is in English. Additionally, it is said to symbolize the way that the prophet Elijah returns each year on Hanukkah eve, beginning at the right side of the doorway and passing through each candle as he enters.
In addition to the order of the candles, there needs to be special attention paid to the way the individuals light them. Unlike some ceremonial occasions, this is a time for all members of the family to gather and be involved in the lighting. Girls have the primary responsibility of lighting the candles, as well as the traditional prayers that accompany the lighting. Options for saying the prayer out loud or quietly can be left to the individual themselves, depending on their preference.
The flames must remain lit for a minimum of 30 minutes after nightfall, as this is a symbol of both joy for the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of oil. The candles should not be extinguished by blowing them out, but instead should be snuffed out with a dampened hand or cloth. Before snuffing out the flames, a special blessing that invokes God should be chanted, in Hebrew or in translation.
It is through lighting the candles from right to left that we get to remember both the ancient fight of the Maccabees and of the miracle that happened during their time. This is why it is important to observe the tradition of lighting the candles appropriately, so that all the meanings behind them are not lost. By lighting the candles on Hanukkah, we can come together and understand what it means to be connected to a culture and a religion.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.