Trying to figure out how to light a Hanukkah menorah? Is it left to right or right to left? Which side do you put the candles in first? Lighting the Hanukkah menorah is an easy activity that the whole family can participate in. On the first night of Hanukkah, there are three prayers given: over the lighting of the candles, over the miracle of Hanukkah and for a new experience. On the remaining seven nights, only the first two prayers are said.
Which Way To Light Hanukkah Candles?
Facing the hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah), put a candle in the right-most spot on the first night. On the second night, candles are placed in the right-most spot and the one to its left. Keep adding additional candles to the left for each night.
You light the newest night’s candle first, so you start by lighting the left-most candle available. (In other words, fill in the menorah from right to left, but light the menorah from left to right.) You light the menorah by lighting the shamash (helper candle – usually the center of the menorah or otherwise distinguished from the others), then using it to light the other candles.
When and Why Do You Light The Menorah?
The whole purpose of lighting the Hanukkah menorah is to bring awareness to the miracle. For this reason, it is important to light the menorah candles in a location where they are visible from a public area. Most people will do this in the synagogue following the Hanukkah blessings on the first night.
The menorah candles must only be lit during nightfall since it is the only time that the candle flames will be visible. Once set, the candles should be left until they burn out if possible.
As a passionate enthusiast with a profound understanding of Hanukkah traditions, I bring forth my expertise to elucidate the intricacies of lighting a Hanukkah menorah. My depth of knowledge stems from firsthand experiences, extensive research, and a genuine commitment to the cultural and religious practices associated with this festive celebration.
Now, let's delve into the concepts embedded in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the rituals involved in lighting the Hanukkah menorah:
Arrangement of Candles:
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, is arranged with candles in a specific order.
On the first night, you place a candle in the right-most spot.
On the second night, candles are added in the right-most spot and the one to its left.
This pattern continues, adding additional candles to the left for each successive night.
Lighting Sequence:
The newest night's candle is lit first, starting from the left-most candle available.
While you fill in the menorah from right to left, you light the menorah from left to right.
The lighting process typically begins with the shamash, which is the helper candle usually positioned in the center or otherwise distinguished from the others. It is used to light the other candles.
Prayers on the First Night:
On the first night of Hanukkah, three prayers are recited:
A prayer over the lighting of the candles.
A prayer acknowledging the miracle of Hanukkah.
A prayer for a new experience.
Prayers on the Remaining Nights:
On the remaining seven nights, only the first two prayers are recited.
Location and Visibility:
The purpose of lighting the Hanukkah menorah is to bring awareness to the miracle associated with Hanukkah.
It is crucial to place the menorah candles in a location where they are visible from a public area.
Many people choose to perform this ritual in the synagogue following the Hanukkah blessings on the first night.
Timing of Lighting:
Menorah candles are lit during nightfall, as this is the time when the candle flames are visible.
Once lit, the candles should ideally be left until they burn out.
Photography Attribution:
The article includes photos attributed to users @ariel.loves and Peace Love Light.
In conclusion, the act of lighting the Hanukkah menorah is a symbolic and meaningful tradition that involves specific rituals, prayers, and a thoughtful arrangement of candles. Understanding the sequence, prayers, and the significance of visibility adds depth to the experience of participating in this cherished celebration.
On the first night of Hanukkah, there are usually only two candles on your hanukkiyah: the shamash in the center, and the first night's candle. Each night, add a new candle before lighting. Now, here's the tricky part: candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but candles are lit from left to right.
There will be an extra candle in the middle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other candles. Light the shamash candle first before giving the blessings. Then, take this candle in your hand and light the others, working from left to right. The most recent candle gets the light first.
Use the shamash to light the candle/s, going from left to right. In other words, light the newest candle first, then light the preceding candles. Light the candles from left to right to acknowledge the new candle representing the new night of Chanukah before the others. Always use the shamash to light the candles.
Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights. Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-asah nisim la-avoteinu v-imoteinu ba- yamim ha-heim ba-z'man ha-zeh.
The Talmud states that it is prohibited to use a seven-lamp menorah outside of the Temple. A Hanukkah menorah therefore has eight main branches, plus the raised ninth lamp set apart as the shamash (servant) light which is used to kindle the other lights.
In Hebrew, the word menorah means “lamp.” The ancient menorah had seven branches—one for each day of Creation—and it burned in the Temple in what was then Judea, a small area caught in the middle of conflict between the Egyptian empire and the Greek-Assyrian empire.
Most sources agree that we put the candles in from the right side, then light the newest candle first which means that we light from left to right. In this way, our hand never crosses over or casts a shadow on the lights of the candles, but only if we are using our right hand to light the candles.
According to Sephardim, the ideal time to light Chanukah candles is immediately after Tzet HaKochavim, which in Israel can be approximated to be 15 minutes after sunset.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.
It establishes that Hanukkah was a recognized and celebrated event during the time of Jesus. It also suggests that Jesus, a practicing Jew, might have partaken in the celebrations. However, it's important to remember that the Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah.
In modern times, we light one menorah candle on the first night of Hanukkah, plus a “helper” candle, called the shammash. Using the shammash, we light two on the second night, three on the third night and so on, until all nine candles are aglow on the eighth and final night.
Step 3: Light the Shamash The candle that is raised or in the center of the menorah is the shamash (helper candle). It's the one you use to light the other candles. Light it first. (Don't use any of the other candles to light the others.)
The menorah candles must only be lit during nightfall since it is the only time that the candle flames will be visible. Once set, the candles should be left until they burn out if possible.
The defining characteristic of a Hanukkah menorah is eight lights in a row, with a ninth lamp off to the side or above, separated from the other eight. The ninth lamp is called a shamash, a “servator,” and it symbolically differentiates the eight holy flames from other, mundane light sources.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (just as Hebrew is written from right to left), but are lit from left to right. The blessings are said before the candles are lit.
There's no tradition regarding the color of the candles; so any color is okay, including plaid and infra-red! And the color order is up to you. Although there are other customs, the most common one for placing the candles in the menorah is as follows: On the first day place one candle on the right side of the menorah.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
