The first night of Hanukkah brings with it an illuminated ritual of prayer, blessings, and the lighting of the menorah. For those who celebrate, the menorah is one of the most significant symbols in the holiday and its eight candles represent the miracles that marked the Maccabees victory over the Greek-Syrians. But for all of the significance of the menorah and its candles, knowing which candle to light first can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there is a specific order to lighting the Hanukkah menorah.
The first candle of the Hanukkah menorah is called the shamash (or helper) candle. This candle is set apart from the other eight candles and is used to light the other candles of the menorah as the holiday progresses. The shamash candle is to be lit first on the first night of Hanukkah. After the shamash is lit, the remaining candles are then lit beginning with the candle furthest to the right. This candle symbolizes the first day of the holiday and the number one.
Every night, for the remainder of the holiday, the next candle is lit from right to left. This is to ensure that the newest candle is lit first. On the first night, two candles are lit; the shamash and the candle of day one. For the second night, three candles are lit, with the third candle beginning the procession from right to left. This process continues until the last night of Hanukkah when all eight candles are lit.
When lighting the Hanukkah menorah, each candle is supposed to be lit with the same kind of oil that was used to light the menorah in the rededication of the Temple. This oil is then used again each night. However, for most modern Hanukkah menorahs, candles are used instead of oil.
Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the miracle of a small group of people reclaiming their holy right to worship in peace. Every aspect of the holiday, from the menorah to the order of lighting each candle, is meant to commemorate this history. Lighting the candles in the correct order helps to keep this tradition alive and offers an opportunity to reflect on the holiday’s significance. Knowing which candle to light first on Hanukkah is a part of this tradition and a reminder of the holiday’s significance and wonder.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.