The Hanukkah menorah is an integral part of the 8-day Jewish Festival of Lights. It has become one of the most recognized symbols associated with Judaism and is traditionally lit in multiples of 8 with flickering candles. One of the rituals connected to lighting the menorah each night is the placement of the candles. One might ask, then: What direction do you light Hanukkah candles?
Lighting the Menorah
The proper way to light the menorah is to place the candles from right to left in the order of decreasing significance. This means that the first candle lit should be the shamash or servant candle, which is placed in the center of the menorah. The shamash is then used to light the other candles from right to left.
The Meaning Behind Lighting From Right to Left
The practice of lighting the menorah from right to left has, in fact, an ancient origin. It’s said in the Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 21B, that this tradition has a symbolic meaning that conveys a message: Growth is gradual and it must start from a point of knowledge.
This is why it is important to start from the right side and light the menorah candles from right to left. It is a reminder to members of the Jewish faith to continue increasing their knowledge.
Therefore, it is significant to light the menorah in this manner, as it has been done since the first Hanukkah celebration. Traditionally, one candle is lit each night of the eight-day holiday and each candle is lit with the shamash from right to left.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when lighting the Hanukkah menorah:
- The menorah should always be lit with the shamash (the servant candle) and each candle should be lit from right to left, starting with the rightmost candle.
- The shamash should always be located in the center of the menorah and never on the first branch.
- The shamash can be used to light multiple candles each night.
Therefore, when lighting the Hanukkah menorah each night of the Festival of Lights, it is important to start with the shamash in the center of the menorah and then light each candle from right to left. This practice symbolizes the continual growth of knowledge, which is a reminder to all members of the Jewish faith.
Done correctly, the ritual of lighting the menorah is a source of joy, peace, and comfort as families gather to mark the miracle of the oil that was burning for 8 days in the Temple during the Maccabean revolt.
Related Products:
- What Direction Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Direction Do You Light Hanukkah Candles?
- How Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles Which Direction?
- In What Direction Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Direction Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
- In What Direction Do You Traditionally Light Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Direction Do You Light The Hanukkah Menorah?
- How Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
- How Do You Light Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Order Do You Light Hanukkah Candles?
- What Order Do You Light Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Side Do You Light Hanukkah Candles?
- Which Way Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
- How Do You Light The Candles For Hanukkah?
- What Time Do You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.