Lighting the Menorah or Hanukkah candles is a very special part of the holiday of Hanukkah. While all of the rituals and traditions of this holiday commemorate the miracle of the Maccabees and their rededication of the Temple to worship of God, lighting Hanukkah candles is a way to give thanks for the goodness of God in our lives. During Hanukkah, a new candle is lit each night for 8 nights, and each night a special blessing is made when the candles are lit. So what do you say if you’re lighting the Hanukkah candles?
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Lighting the Menorah/Hanukkah Candles
The Blessing When Lighting the Candles
The blessings when Lighting the Menorah or Hanukkah Candles is usually done by the head of the family and is said in Hebrew. For Ashkenazi Jews, the blessing when lighting the candles is the following:
- “Boreh Mineh Me’oreh ha-es-er ve-ha-she-vet ha-la-vanon, Al mitzvat ha-nerot,” translated as: “Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who sanctified us with his commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.”
The Blessing after Lighting the Candles
When lighting the candles for Hanukkah, a special blessing is said after lighting the Menorah. For Ashkenazi Jews, the blessing after lighting the candles is the following:
- “Baruch Ata Ado-noi Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam she-heh-cheh-ya-nu ve-ki-y’-ma-nu v’hi-gee-a-nu lish-mo-ah ha-nehr ha-hah-lah,” translated as: “Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.”
The Significance of the Blessings
The blessings before and after lighting the Menorah or Hanukkah candles serve to remind us of the history of the holiday and the miracle of the oil that lasted 8 days instead of 1. The act of lighting the Menorah and making the blessing remind us of our faith and that it is important to take time to recognize and remember the miracles that have happened in our lives.
Lighting the Menorah or Hanukkah candles is a special, meaningful part of the holiday that ushers us into the spirit of the holiday and gives us a feeling of thankfulness for the miracles that have happened in our lives. Taking the time to make the blessing before and after lighting the candle brings us joy and allows us to remember and commemorate the blessings that we have been given throughout history.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.