▷ What To Say On The Last Night Of Hanukkah?

The last night of Hanukkah is a time to reflect on the Festival of Light and to appreciate all the joy, blessings, and renewal the holiday has brought. But with the holiday coming to an end, it can be difficult to know what to say or do to celebrate the end of the holiday. There are many ways to honor and remember the last day of Hanukkah, and the words and rituals of the last night provide a way to express the joy of the holiday while acknowledging the bittersweetness of saying goodbye.

While the rituals will vary from family to family, there are a few common elements that many families use on the last night of Hanukkah. The main event is lighting the menorah, but there are also special blessings to recite and food to enjoy. Depending on the size of the family and whether it is just immediate family or extended family, there may be other activities such as playing dreidel, singing songs, and telling stories. After the menorah is lit, it is traditional to collect the candles and give each member of the family a special gift or blessing for the new year.

Lighting the Menorah

Lighting the menorah on the eighth and final night is the centerpiece of the last night of Hanukkah. After saying the blessings and lighting the candles, it is traditional to sing “Maoz Tzur” or “Rock of Ages”. Depending on the family’s preference, this may be done in Hebrew or in English. This is a good time for giving out gifts as well as expressing words of gratitude and blessings for the coming year.

Food and Dreidel

Families can carry on the tradition of eating latkes and fried doughnuts on the last night of Hanukkah, as well as any other traditional Jewish foods. For example, some families enjoy blintzes, spinach and cheese pies, and kugel on this night. Playing dreidel is also common on the last night since there will no longer be any presents to be won.

Holiday Blessings

During the service, the typical Hanukkah blessings can be said with special emphasis on the last night. Additionally, it can be meaningful to offer personal blessings for the coming year. For children, this might be words of advice or encouragement. For adults, it could be a reminder to always stay inspired by the holiday’s lessons or a message to support and protect one another in the coming year.

The last night of Hanukkah is a special time to reflect, give thanks, and can also be a time for creativity and fun. No matter how big a family gathering is, there is always a way to honor the holiday. Whether it’s a special gift or prayer, lighthearted competition or heartfelt reflection, the final night of Hanukkah is an opportunity to end the Festival of Lights on a high note.

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