▷ What Are The 3 Hanukkah Blessings?

Hanukkah, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, is the annual Jewish celebration of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is observed for eight days and nights and celebrates the overcoming of adversity and a miraculous victory. While celebrating, Jews traditionally recite blessings or special prayers over the lighting of the Hanukkah lamps. The three main blessings of the holiday are the Shehecheyanu blessing, the Hanerot Halalu blessing, and the blessing of repose.

The Shehecheyanu Blessing is said when lighting the first candles of Chanukah, and the first of the three blessings for the holiday. This blessing thanks G-d for keeping the Jewish people alive and for enabling them to reach the occasion. It is usually said over wine, but can also be said without wine. The traditional text is as follows:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

The second of the blessings is the Hanerot Halalu. This is said prior to lighting the menorah and contains verses of praise for the Maccabees and the deliverance of the Jews from the oppression of the Syrians. It is also said after the lighting of each individual candle. The traditional text is as follows:

We praise You, O Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and the wanton sinners into the hands of those who occupy themselves with Your Torah. On this day we carry out these mitzvot, obliging ourselves in thanks to You

The third of the blessings is the Borei Pri Hagafen. This is said after the menorah is lit and recited over a cup of wine. It is a request to G-d for a sweet and plentiful life. The traditional text is as follows:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

Lighting the menorah is a traditional part of the Hanukkah celebration. Each night, one more candle is lit and each of these occasions is special and unique in its own way. By reciting the three blessings before and after the lighting of the menorah, we thank G-d for all his many blessings and give Him praise for bringing us together in celebration of this special holiday.

Hanukkah is about miracles, hope and joy, and these blessings reflect the beauty and power of the holiday. By combining our shared history of faith with the traditions of lighting the menorah and reciting these three essential blessings, we become connected to the miraculous moments of the past.

Related Products:

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