The order in which the Hanukkah candles are lit is an important part of the tradition, as it may differ from family to family. In general, the order is as follows: on the first night, one candle is lit. On the second night, two candles are lit. This pattern repeats for all eight nights.
Order of the Candle Lighting
Hanukkah, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is usually celebrated in November or December and is celebrated by Jews around the world.
One of the main traditions of Hanukkah is to light candles in special candelabra, called the menorah, every night during the festival. On the first night, one candle is lit, referred to as the ‘shamash’ or helper candle. This candle is used to light the other candles throughout the festival, starting with two on the second night, then three on the third night and so on until eight candles are lit on the eighth night.
The menorah is placed in a window facing outwards, so that the symbolic power of the light can spread to the community: a reminder of the re-dedication of the Temples. It is customary for families to recite a special prayer either before or after the lighting of the candles.
The order in which the candles are lit is significant: the new candle is placed to the left of the last candle lit, representing the progress of the festival. The shamash candle is usually placed in the middle or to the right. During the week of Hanukkah, families usually gather around the menorah to light the candles, sing songs, and exchange gifts.
In conclusion, the order in which candles are lit on Hanukkah is very important, as it is an integral part of the daily ritual. On the first night, one candle is lit, then two on the second night, and so on until the eighth night when all eight candles are lit. The new candle is lit to the left of the last one lit in order to symbolize the progress of the Festival. By lighting the menorah in the windows of their homes, families are able to share the message of the celebration with the world.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.