Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday celebrated in the winter with the kindling of a special eight-branched candelabra, known as a menorah. It is customary to kindle a different candle for each night of the holiday, and so a very important question is: which candle is lit first?
According to Ashkenazi custom, the first candle lit each night of Hanukkah is the one found to the far right of the menorah. This candle is the “Shamash” (servant) candle and is used as a helper to light the other candles. Each night of Hanukkah, another one of the Hanukkah candles is added to the far left of the menorah, and lit using the Shamash. The lighting of the other seven candles, starting from the right and working leftwards, the order they are lit is according to the Hebrew Alphabet.The Hebrew Alphabet
The Hebrew alphabet is ordered right-to-left when written and spoken, and is often used when counting items or ordering items according to a simple list. This ordering is why it is used for the ceremony of kindling the first Hanukkah candle each night of the festival. The first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet (Alef) is found at the far right, and proceeds to the left. Thus, the first candle lit each night is the one found at the far right.
Candles and Ordering
The candles lit each night starting with the far right are hierarched in the following order:
- 1, Alef – Lit the 1st night of Hanukkah
- 2, Bet – Lit the 2nd night of Hanukkah
- 3, Gimmel – Lit the 3rd night of Hanukkah
- 4, Daled – Lit the 4th night of Hanukkah
- 5, Hei - Lit the 5th night of Hanukkah
- 6, Vav – Lit the 6th night of Hanukkah
- 7, Zayin – Lit the 7th night of Hanukkah
- 8, Het – Lit the 8th night of Hanukkah
Additional Information
The Shamash is lit first each night, and used to kindle the other lights left-to-right. The candles are normally lit while reciting a special blessing. It is customary for family and friends to gather and sing special Hanukkah songs together while kindling the lights, and to exchange presents. The holiday is celebrated for a total of eight days, and on the first night all eight lights in the menorah are lit.
In summary, the candle lit first each night of Hanukkah is the one found to the far right of the menorah. This is known as the Shamash, or servant, candle; and is lit first each night as it is used to light the other seven candles in the array. The order for the seven Hanukkah lights is according to the Hebrew Alphabet, which begins with the Alef candle at the far right and proceeds to the left. Ultimately, Hanukkah is a very special holiday that many celebrate joyously each winter – with shining candles, gathered loved ones, and delicious foods.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.