▷ When Do We Light The First Hanukkah Candle?

Hanukkah is a Jewish religious holiday that is celebrated with the lighting of a candle each evening for eight days. During this period, family and friends gather to celebrate the miracle of long ago. A fundamental part of Hanukkah is the lighting of the hanukkiyah, a nine-branched menorah, each day of the holiday. The first night of Hanukkah is always the most special and it is the night that a single candle is lit. So, when do we light the first Hanukkah candle?

The first night of Hanukkah is always celebrated on the same Hebrew calendar date, Kislev 25, regardless of what day of the week it falls on. This means that the date of Hanukkah changes each year, usually occurring anytime between mid-November to early December. While the date of Hanukkah changes, the celebration and traditions remain consistent.

Choosing a Day to Light the Candle

In Judaism, every evening at sundown marks the beginning of a new day. Therefore, when the sun sets on Kislev 25, it becomes the first night of Hanukkah. According to tradition, you should strive to light the Hanukkiah as soon as possible after sundown. To begin the holiday, the shamash, or helper candle, should be lit first. Then the remaining eight candles should be placed from right to left. A blessing is then recited and the the holiday of Hanukkah is officially underway.

Candles for Subsequent Nights

On all subsequent nights of the holiday, a new candle should be lit after sundown and the shamash should be used to light the new candle. Every evening one additional candle is added, going from right to left, with the first night at the far right. It is customary to use the same hanukkiyah for the entire holiday and to place it in a window that can be seen by the public. This is a way of spreading the joy of the holiday to other people.

Celebrating Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an exciting family holiday filled with rituals and traditions. The combination of lighting candles, singing, eating latkes and playing dreidel is fun for all ages. During the first night of Hanukkah it is important to set the stage for the eight days of celebration to follow. Lighting the first hanukkiah candle marks both a spiritual and physical beginning, setting the tone for a joyous and festive holiday.

The first night of Hanukkah is always celebrated on the same Hebrew calendar date, Kislev 25. During this time, the shamash is lit first, and the other eight candles should be placed from right to left. After this blessing is recited, the holiday is officially underway. Every night one additional candle is added, with the first night at the far right. Throughout the holiday, the hanukkiyah should be placed in a window that can be seen by the public, so that the joy of the holiday can be spread to everyone. The lighting of the first Hanukkah candle marks both a spiritual and physical beginning, setting the tone for eight days of celebration.

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