The prayer for the first night of Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is redolent with tradition and history. Before both lighting the menorah and sharing gifts, Jews of all ages pause in prayer to thank God for His interventions on their behalf. This powerful prayer has been in existence for over two thousand years and remains an important component of the yearly celebration of Chanukah.
The Prayer for the First Night of Hanukkah
Blessing Over the Candles
The central part of the ritual of every night of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah. This is usually done in the evening after sunset, according to Jewish law. Each night, an additional candle is added to the menorah. The first candle is lit as follows:
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu melech ha’olam,
- asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah.
This translates to:
- Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.
The Blessings After Lighting the Candles
Once the menorah is lit, three blessings are said. The same blessings are said each night, however, on the first night of Hanukkah, Shehecheyanu is added. This special blessing thanks God for helping us reach this time and celebration. It is said as follows:
- Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu melech ha’olam,
- shehecheyanu v’kiyemanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.
This translates to:
- Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
After the special blessing, the other two blessings are said. The first expresses thanks for the miracles that God performed in aiding the Maccabees and showcases the traditional celebration of the holiday that takes place each year. The second ties together the lighting of the menorah with the special service offering of incense in the Temple in Jerusalem. The recitation of these blessings are part of the spiritual practice of Hanukkah and serves as a reminder of the miracle of the oil and the subsequent symbolism of light over darkness.
Hanukkah is a time to rejoice and celebrate the enduring strength of the human spirit and with the recitation of these prayers, we remember that we can experience miracles when we come together in fellowship and faith.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.