Lighting the menorah is an integral part of celebrating Hanukkah. During this eight-day holiday, the flames of the menorah, which are illuminated with a special set of candles, represent a modern retelling of the story of the Maccabees and their victory over the Syrians. While there are many customs that guide the placement of the candles and the exact order in which they are lit, the main question that many people have is: which direction should Hanukkah candles be lit?
The Shamash Candle
The shamash candle (the “servant” candle) is the ninth candle in the menorah. It should be higher than all the other candles or placed in a separate spot. The shamash is used to light all of the other candles. When lighting the other Hanukkah candles, shamash is lit first and used to used to light from right to left. Starting with the candle on the far right and ending with the one on the left. Before lighting the menorah, all of the candles must be in place.
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When to Light the Candles
The Hanukkah candles should be lit during nightfall, at the time of the Shabbat candles’ lighting. All the candles, minus the shamash, should be lit for the duration of the night. On the Sabbath, special Sabbath candles or shabbat candles should be lit – however, no Hanukkah candles should be lit.
In Which Order to Light the Candles
The Hanukkah candles should be lit one by one, from right to left. The new Hanukkah candle for the night is always lit first. It’s important to say a special blessing before lighting to recite the Shehecheyanu blessing.
Blessing for Lighting the Hanukkah Candles
When lighting the menorah, the few words of a special prayer are said.
Traditional Blessing
- Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah (Blessed are You, Lord our God, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light).
Additional Blessings
If a Menorah is lit for additional nights, the following blessings are said as the Hanukkah lights are lit:
- Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyamanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh (Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this day).
Additional Customs When Lighting the Menorah
In addition to lighting the candles in the correct direction and order, there are some other customs to be aware of when lighting the menorah. These include:
- The lights of the menorah should be visible from the outside to represent the time when the Macabees rededicated the temple.
- The flames should rise straight up.
- The candles should not be scrunched together – this is a fire hazard, as the burning flames could damage the Menorah.
- The candles should all be of the same height.
- All candles should be replaced each night, otherwise the light will not be considered holy.
In summary, the direction of Hanukkah candles should be lit from right to left. The shamash candle is the servant candle and should be lit first to light all the other candles. Before lighting, all candles should be placed in a safe arrangement with all candles of the same height. It is also important to recite any traditional or additional blessings prior to lighting the candles. By following these steps, Hanukkah can be celebrated in a safe and meaningful way.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.