Hanukkah is a traditional Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. The festival is celebrated for eight nights and days, and is traditionally marked by the lighting of Hanukkah candles. There are many rituals and customs associated with Hanukkah, and one of the most important is the placement of the first candle in the Hanukkah menorah. Knowing where to place the first candle is essential to all aspects of the holiday rituals.
The first Hanukkah candle is placed in the rightmost candle holder of the Hanukkah menorah. This is known as the shamash, or the helper or servant candle, and is traditionally used to light the other eight candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is placed to the left of the shamash. This is the first of the eight Hanukkah lights and is referred to as the first candle or Shammash. On each of the following nights of Hanukkah, one candle is lit from right to left. The additional candle that is lit on the first night is then referred to as the second candle, and so forth until all eight candles are lit. After the first night, the shamash is the last candle lit each night.Table of Contents
Lighting the candled
Before lighting the first candle, it is customary for households to recite blessings and prayers. Afterward, the shamash is lit from an already existing flame and is then used to light the other candles. The order in which the Hanukkah lights are lit is from right to left—the opposite of the way we generally read. The blessing is then repeated with each candle lighting.
It is important to remember that the Hanukkah candles should be lit as soon as possibleafter sunset, since they are a reminder of the miracle of Hanukkah.
Reasons for Lighting the First Candle on the Right
Symbolism of Right
There are several reasons why the first candle is lit on the right side. The right of the Hanukkah menorah is symbolic of strength and power, and the placement of the candles from right to left symbolizes the progress of freedom.
Tradition
Lighting the menorah from right to left is also rooted in tradition—specifically, a rabbinic decree from the Second Century C.E. In this decree, it was stated that when lighting the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah, the candle furthest to the right should be lit first and the other candles should be lit left of it. This decree has been followed for centuries and is still practiced today.
The Journey from Slavery to Freedom
The tradition of lighting the first candle of Hanukkah on the right is also symbolic of the journey from slavery to freedom that the Jewish people underwent during the Maccabean period. The placement of the menorah from right to left honors this journey and remembers the struggles and triumphs of the past that are still celebrated today.
The placement of the first Hanukkah candle in the rightmost candle holder has a long history that is still practiced today. The order from right to left is symbolic of strength and power, as well as the journey from slavery to freedom that the Jewish people undertook during the Maccabean period. Whether celebrating the holiday alone in your home or with a group of family and friends, lighting the first Hanukkah candle on the right is an important part of the holiday tradition.
Related Products:
- What Direction Do Hanukkah Candles Go?
- Which Way Do Hanukkah Candles Go In?
- Which Direction Do Hanukkah Candles Go?
- What Hanukkah Candle Is Lit First?
- What Candle Do You Light First For Hanukkah?
- What Candle Is Lit Today For Hanukkah?
- Which Candle To Light First On Hanukkah?
- What Does Each Hanukkah Candle Represent?
- Which Candle Of Hanukkah Today?
- What Is The Candle For Hanukkah Called?
- What Candle Is Lit Tonight For Hanukkah?
- What Candle Gets Lit First For Hanukkah?
- Hanukkah Which Candle To Light First?
- Which Hanukkah Candle Is Lit First?
- What Is The First Candle Of Hanukkah?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.