Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC. It is a joyful festival associated with religious reverence, gift exchanges, and the lighting of the menorah. One of the essential festive decorations is the Hanukkah candle, for it symbolizes the light of freedom. Each night, one candle is lit on the menorah as a reminder of the ever-burning flame of the Temple, which lit miraculously for eight days. The question that is commonly asked during Hanukkah is – What Hanukkah candle is lit first?
Table of Contents
What Hanukkah Candle Is Lit First?
The Basics
The rules of lighting the menorah candles are specific, and the order is always the same. Every night, one candle is added to the row of nine. The ninth candle called the Shamash, is lit first and is used to light the other eight candles from right to left. On the first night, just the Shamash is lit and then it is used to light the other eight.
- The candle which is lit first is the Shamash.
- The Shamash is placed higher than the other candles.
- The Shamash is lit first and then used to light the other eight candles from right to left.
Gag Hanukkah Candle
When a gag Hanukkah candle is used, the original menorah is completed on the first night. This candle is placed apart from the other eight candles and lit first. In some households, the first candle to be lit is the one with the largest or most beautiful flame. All the others are lit, one by one, with the Shamash.
Candle Lighting Ceremony
The Hanukkah candles are lit at sundown each night, and the ceremony commences with the recitation of the blessings over the Menorah. blessing the candles should begin with the candle on the far right and end with the one on the far left.
The process is repeated each night by lighting the candles from left to right, thus increasing the number of candles every night.
Conclusion
The candle which is lit first is the Shamash. It is placed higher than the other candles and is lit first and then used to light the other eight candles from right to left. If a gag Hanukkah candle is used, the original menorah is completed on the first night. After the blessings are recited, the candles should be lit from right to left until all are lit.
The Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony is a joyous and festive tradition that symbolizes the spirit of freedom and redemption. To keep the tradition alive, families should light the miracle of the Hanukkah candles each night, and remember the miracle that it symbolizes.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.