Introduction
Our sages of blessed memory determined that on each of the eight days of Hanukkah, we should light candles in memory of the miracle of the small jar of oil that lasted for eight days.
Originally, the custom was to light one candle each evening for each family, but over the generations, the admirable custom became widespread among the people of Israel to light one candle on the first evening, two on the second, and so forth until on the eighth night of Hanukkah we light eight candles. Today, this custom is practiced in all Jewish communities.
The message of Hanukkah: Light up the darkness!
The holiday of Hanukkah contains a deep meaning of adding ‘spiritual light’ to our world: Just as each day we add another candle, so too should our attitude be towards people and things around us:
We should always look for opportunities to ignite sparks of happiness and joy in sad hearts, to breathe a spirit of hope and life into suffering souls, to see in every event that happens with us the positive potential and educational lesson that can be learned from it, and of course – to increase the performance of commandments and good deeds.
Who is obligated to light?
Every Jewish man and woman has the obligation (and the privilege) to light Hanukkah candles. The commandment applies to men, women, and even to boys and girls who have reached an age at which they understand what they are doing, recognize the story of the miracle of Hanukkah, and know how to light a candle themselves (an age referred to in halachic language as “the age of education”). Nevertheless, one can fulfill their obligation by hearing the blessing and seeing someone else light the candles: a man over the age of Bar Mitzvah or a woman over the age of Bat Mitzvah.
In practice, most women today do not light the Hanukkah candles themselves, and they can fulfill their obligation by answering “Amen” to the blessings pronounced by the head of the household.
Although in principle it is enough to light one Hanukkah menorah in each house, it is customary for all males – both adults and boys and even young children – to bless and light candles themselves.
An unmarried girl, or a woman whose husband is not at home, should light the Hanukkah candles and bless them herself.
What do we light with?
The commandment of lighting Hanukkah candles can be fulfilled with regular candles, but it is customary to beautify the mitzvah and use wicks and pure olive oil, in memory of the Temple Menorah in which they used pure olive oil specifically.
- It is possible to use all types of candles, oils, and wicks that are available.
Question : Is it possible to light candles in an electric menorah?
Answer : Electric lights are an excellent way to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah, but they cannot fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) of lighting Hanukkah candles.
In Judaism, there is a special affinity for the light of candles specifically, because they possess a characteristic that symbolizes spirituality.
When I use one candle to light another, the light of the first candle remains strong, illuminating and glowing exactly as it was before. Nothing is subtracted from its light; on the contrary, the two candles together complement each other, intensify and increase the light, and create a stronger light together. This is precisely the message of the Hanukkah candles:
A physical and material thing gradually depletes as we use it. The more money we spend, the less we have in our hands. The more we eat, the emptier the pantry in the kitchen…
Spiritual things, on the other hand, not only do not ‘shrink’, but even grow and expand more the more we ‘use’ them. When I give someone a profound insight about life, I also learn a little; they gain, and I don’t ‘lose’ anything. When I teach someone, I become wiser myself, and when I give love, I get the opportunity to love even more.
Getting to know the “Shamash”
All eight candles should be lit during the holiday using the “Shamash”. The “Shamash” is essentially a regular candle that serves us as a ‘helper’, and with it and by it we light the rest of the candles.
According to Jewish law, one should not use the Hanukkah candles (or their light), we are allowed only “to see them alone”. For example, on a day when we light several candles, we should not light the second candle with the first one, and likewise, we should not use the candles as ‘portable lanterns’ to read, illuminate a dark place, etc.
Therefore, it is customary in Jewish communities to light an additional candle – not as part of the daily number of candles – so that if suddenly needed to use the light of the candle for any purpose, the “Shamash” could be used to provide light, or to light candles that were suddenly extinguished before their time, etc.
At the end of the lighting each day, we place the “Shamash” in a high place (or in a separate place) from the rest of the candles, in order to differentiate it from them so that everyone knows that it is not part of the daily amount of candles.
Getting to know the “Menorah”
Hanukkah candles should be lit on some surface that meets the following criteria:
- The candles or wicks should be placed in an equal row and not in a circle or at different heights.
- Between each candle, or between each wick, there should be a space of at least a finger’s width, so that the candles do not appear as one large flame.
To meet these halachic (Jewish law) requirements, Jews have used a special Hanukkah menorah throughout the generations; a menorah built from a unified, straight surface, with a place for eight candles with sufficient space between each candle, and an additional place for the “Shamash”, which is located in a slightly elevated and separate place from the other eight candles.
With the revival of modern Hebrew, an apt name was given to this menorah: “Chanukiyah”.
Over the years, hundreds and thousands of creative models of Hanukkah menorahs of various types have been created. You can find a menorah made of pure silver, adorned with impressive carvings from the 17th century, next to a simple tin menorah that served the Jews during the Second World War, a giant menorah made of pure gold, alongside a miniature and foldable menorah made of iron.
There are many stories of Jews who literally sacrificed their lives to fulfill the commandment of lighting the candles on Hanukkah, despite being in difficult circumstances: in labor camps in Siberia, in the extermination camps in Auschwitz and more. The menorahs were made from potato peels, the wicks – from torn clothes, and the oil – from margarine.
Despite the ‘darkness’ of those bleak times, the eternal nation did not give up on the possibility of lighting the Hanukkah candles, and in doing so, they told themselves and the whole world – that light will prevail!
- Those who wish to light with oil and wicks, but do not want to bother too much and make their own wicks from grape wool, can obtain ready-made and thin wicks that are threaded inside a small tube, and in this way they put them in the oil cup. Faster, cleaner.
Where to light?
The central motif of the commandment to light Hanukkah candles is publicizing the miracle (in Aramaic: “Pirsumei Nisa”). We light the candles and use the light to remind everyone of the great miracles that the Creator of the world did with us during the Maccabees’ war with the Greeks.
Therefore, we should gather all the family members together at the time of lighting the candles, and also place the menorah in a prominent place, next to the window or at the entrance and the like, so that passers-by on the street can also see the light of the Hanukkah candles and be reminded of the holiday miracle.
In the past, they used to put the menorahs at the main entrance of the house, but today, when there are usually tall buildings, you can light the candles at the entrance of one of the doors inside the house, even if it does not face the street directly.
- When lighting the candles inside the house (as is the custom of Chabad), the menorah should be placed on a shelf or small chair standing on the left side of the door – opposite the mezuzah on the right side, so that a person entering the room will be ‘surrounded’ by commandments: a mezuzah on his right and Hanukkah candles on his left.
- When lighting candles on the window sill facing outside, make sure that the Hanukkah candles are not exposed to the blowing wind, and you can use special glass frames in which you can place the menorah without fear of the fire going out.
Children who light candles themselves, it is better for them to do so at the entrance of their private room – if the place meets all fire safety rules, and under close adult supervision. This gives the children a sense of belonging to the holiday, and a feeling of identification with the Hanukkah miracle.
At what height do we light?
Hanukkah candles are preferable to light within the ‘height zone’ between 3 tefachim (about 24 cm) to 10 tefachim (about 80 cm).
Usually, a regular chair (or a small table) meets the ‘height requirements’ for Hanukkah candles, and a tray with a Hanukkiah (Hanukkah Menorah) can be placed on it for lighting the candles with a blessing. However, giant Hanukkiahs, for example, those placed in city squares during the Hanukkah holiday serving as a ‘reminder’ about the holiday, can also fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Hanukkah candles.
The maximum height at which candles can be lit according to halacha is 9.6 meters. Therefore, if you live above the third floor, there is no point in lighting the Hanukkiah on the window sill, because regular pedestrians’ gaze does not reach such heights.
When do we light?
We light the Hanukkah candles every evening, starting from the 24th of Kislev.
There are many communities (and this is also the custom of Chabad) that light candles immediately after sunset, after the Mincha prayer and before the Ma’ariv prayer. There are those who light candles at “Tzeit Hakochavim” (when the stars come out). The exact times for each day can be found on the yearly calendars and on the internet.
In any case, one must ensure that the Hanukkah candles burn for at least half an hour after “Tzeit Hakochavim”. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare candles of suitable size in advance, or enough oil.
- Someone who lights immediately after sunset, needs to prepare candles or oil that will burn for at least fifty minutes.
On the eve of the Sabbath, one should not light candles after sunset, as the Sabbath has already begun by then. Therefore, candles are lit earlier. More details on this can be found on page 35.
- It is permissible to light candles throughout the night – from sunset until “Alos Hashachar“ (dawn) of the following day. But if one lights after midnight and no one else is awake in the house at this time, one should light the candles without a blessing.
For details on the topics of times in halacha, what “Tzeit Hakochavim” is and when “Alos Hashachar” is, see Time in Jewish law – The synagogue and Prayers.
Lighting with the Family
There is great importance in lighting Hanukkah candles in the presence of the household and the family. Therefore, if the father needs to arrive later in the evening and the children will still be awake, one should wait for him to light the candles and not light them immediately after sunset or “Tzeit Hakochavim”.
If the father knows that he will be arriving home very late and all the children will be asleep, then the wife – or one of the children who is above the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah – should light the candles in his place. Afterwards, when the father arrives home, he should light again for himself.
Question : I had a serious delay at work and got home late at night. My wife did not light Hanukkah candles because she thought I was coming any minute, and the children are already asleep. What do we do?
Answer : Ideally, one should arrive home while the children are still awake, but if they have not yet heard the lighting of the candles, it is preferable to wake them up if possible.
- Did you forget one night to light? No problem, continue to light as usual in the following days.
- Do you have a long flight leaving on one of the evenings of Hanukkah, and you will not have time to light candles in time? – No problem. The family members who stayed at home will light the Hanukkiah and ‘fulfill the obligation’ on your behalf.
Before the Lighting
- Prepare the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) and arrange the daily number of candles in it, from right to left.
For example: On the first day of Hanukkah, on the 24th of Kislev after sunset, place one candle at the rightmost end of the Hanukkiah. On the second day, start again by placing the first candle on the right side, and next to it add a second candle, and so on.
- The Hanukkiah should be placed in a suitable location (next to the window or door) and at the appropriate height (between 24 and 80 cm), and make sure it does not move from its place for at least half an hour from the time of lighting.
- Prepare in advance matches or a lighter and the like, and of course – the Shamash, which is the additional candle with which we light the other candles.
- Afterward, gather all household members near the place of lighting.
- There is no need to wear Shabbat or festive clothes in anticipation of the lighting.
Tip: When lighting Hanukkah candles with oil, you can use the wicks that remained from the previous day to light the Hanukkah candles again. Wicks that have been used once are more comfortable to light.
In conclusion, how do you light?
Stand in front of the Hanukkiah, hold the lit Shamash in your right hand, and recite two blessings, with those present saying “Amen” after each blessing:
- “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments, and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candle.”
- “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.”
On the first evening of the holiday (or the first time you light), add a third blessing:
“Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.”
- Do not talk after the blessing until the lighting is over.
- After finishing the blessings, first light the leftmost candle, which is the ‘new’ candle of the day, and ‘progress’ to the right until you reach the last right candle.
- Afterward, place the Shamash in its special place, and start singing “Hanerot Halalu” (These Candles).
Here is a brief reminder of the order of placement and lighting:
Placement – from right to left. Lighting – from left to right.
After the lighting
After the lighting, it is customary to sit in front of the Hanukkah candles for at least half an hour. As long as the candles are lit, women should not perform any work, prepare food in the kitchen or clean the house, and the like, because during Hanukkah miracles were performed by a woman (as we have already elaborated before, in the story of the Hanukkah miracle).
During the ‘waiting’ time next to the candles, it is customary to sing Hanukkah songs, eat doughnuts or fried foods, play with a dreidel, distribute Hanukkah gelt, and above all – tell the household the story of the Hanukkah miracle, thereby continuing the ancient and wonderful tradition of the Jewish people.
- After the candles have burned for half an hour after the stars have come out, you can move the menorah to another place, even if the candles are still burning in it.
For more on the customs of Hanukkah, see further on Customs of Hanukkah
Listening to the candles
The Lubavitcher Rebbes used to say that one should ‘listen’ to what the candles are telling… Here are some important lessons that can be learned from their ‘silent story’:
- On the first evening we ‘make do’ with lighting one candle, but each additional night we light another candle and another candle.
- In all matters related to light, goodness, and holiness, one should not stop! Do not be satisfied with what we did yesterday or the day before. Always add more light.
- On the first night, we light one candle but still use a menorah with eight branches, with seven of them remaining empty and ‘abandoned’.
- Sometimes, in the excitement of holiness, we want to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ and start observing all the commandments at once… We should remember that we must advance cautiously, step by step, as this is the correct order. At the same time, we should always remember that there are still empty branches, and we should aspire to light them eventually.
- The ‘Shamash’ (helper) candle is only used as a means to light the other candles, yet it is usually located in a high place, above all.
- When helping someone else and focusing on others, we find ourselves in a ‘higher’ and more elevated place. Precisely a person who helps everyone and doesn’t think and dwell on himself, can reach new heights, both in the understanding of Torah study and in his personal relationship with the Creator of the world.
Question : Oops! One candle went out after 5 minutes, what to do?
Answer : You should relight the candle, but there is no need to say the blessing again.
Hanukkah Piyyutim (liturgical poems)
There are additional Piyyutim related to the Hanukkah holiday, and in many communities it is customary to say or sing them during the half hour when sitting in front of the Hanukkah candles.
“Hanerot Halalu” (These Candles)
In this prayer, we recall the fact that we light the Hanukkah candles in memory of the miracles and wonders that the Creator of the World performed with our ancestors “in those days“ – hundreds of years ago, “at this time” – on exactly those dates on which we find ourselves today.
We note that for all eight days of the Hanukkah holiday, the candles are sacred and we cannot use them for any other purpose, but only “to look at them alone”, in order to give us the privilege to thank and praise the Name for all the miracles, wonders, and salvations He has performed and is performing with the people of Israel.
Text of “Hanerot Halalu”:
“These candles we light for the miracles, and for the wonders, and for the salvations, which You performed for our ancestors in those days, at this time, through Your holy priests.
And all eight days of Hanukkah these candles are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but only to look at them; in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations.”
“Ma’oz Tzur Yeshuati” (Rock of Ages)
This is a descriptive Piyyut, depicting the history of the people of Israel from their enslavement in Egypt, through the miracle of the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, the Babylonian exile, the miracle of Purim, and the miracle of Hanukkah. The Piyyut ends with a prayer to the Creator of the World to ‘reveal’ His holy arm and expedite the coming of the Messiah. In popular practice, the custom is to sing usually only two verses of the entire Piyyut (the first and the fifth), dealing with the miracle of the Hanukkah holiday.
The Piyyut is written in the form of an acrostic – with the first letter of each ‘verse’ forming the name of the author – “Mordechai”.
“Ma’oz tzur yeshu’ati . . . Ra’ot sav’ah nafshi . . . Devir kodsho hevi’ani . . . K’rot kumah b’rosh . . . Yevanim nikb’tzu alai”
In the sixth and final verse of the Piyyut, the author signs the word “chazak” (strong) with the initials of the first three words: “Chasof z’roa kodshecha”.
Translation of the words of the first verse:
Rock of Ages, my salvation, to You it is fitting to praise:
We turn to the Lord of the Universe: God, You are strong and save in times of trouble, it is fitting to praise You.
Establish my house of prayer, and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering:
Please establish and build the Temple, and in it we will offer sacrifices of thanks.
When You will have prepared a slaughter for the blaring foe:
And when You will destroy and annihilate the enemy who curses and roars at us –
Then I shall complete with a song of hymn the dedication of the Altar:
Then I will complete the praise, with the dedication and consecration of the Altar.
Lighting in the Synagogue
The custom is to light the Hanukkah candles also in the synagogue – at the end of the Mincha (afternoon) prayer, and in the morning during the Shacharit (morning) prayer – so that more people will see the menorah, and thus the miracle of the holiday will be publicized a little more.
The menorah is placed next to the southern wall of the synagogue, and every day, at the end of the Mincha prayer – before saying “Aleinu Leshabeach” – the Cantor says the lighting blessings and lights the candles using the “Shamash” (helper candle).
After the lighting, it is customary for the entire congregation to sing the piyut (liturgical poem) “HaNerot Halalu” together.
All the worshippers who return to their homes to light candles – including the cantor – usually recite the blessings at the time of lighting the candles in their private home, and they do not fulfill their obligation with the lighting in the synagogue.
In the morning, at the end of the Shacharit (morning) prayers, the candles are lit again in the synagogue, but this time – without saying the blessings.
