Culture

How To Light a Menorah at Hanukkah, Steps to Lighting a Menorah

by Amy Judd | December 11, 2009 at 04:27 pm

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Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights when millions of Jewish people around the world will celebrate their heritage.

Part of this heritage involves the lighting of the menorah and there are steps on how to light your menorah in order that it is done correctly.

A Hanukkah Menorah has eight candle holders in a row and then a separate candle holder for the Shamash, which is the candle used to light the other eight candles. You cannot use any of the Hanukkah lights for anything other than looking at them.

Traditionally, the Hanukkah Menorah is lit outside the main doorway of your house, on the left side of the door, but if this is not possible then light it in a public window so that passerbys can see. It can of course be on a table.

Before the sun goes down on the Friday afternoon the Menorah should ideally be lit, when all members of the household are present, but it can also be lit later in the night if this is not practical. The candles should remain lit for at least 30 minutes.

When you first light the Menorah, place one of the candles in the holder on the far right and put another candle for the Shamash and when you say the blessings light the candle using the Shamash.

First Blessing to Recite
Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom Asher Kiddeshonu Be-mitsvoysov Ve-tsivonu Lehadlik Neyr Shel khanuko.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Second Blessing to Recite
Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom She-oso Nissim La-avoseynu Ba-yyomim Ho-heym Ba-zzman Ha-zze.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

This third blessing is only to be said on the first night:

Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom She-hekheyonu Ve-kiymonu Ve-higgi'onu La-zzman Ha-zze.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time.

For the remaining candles on the second through to the eighth night, you place two candles in the far right candle holders and another candle is put for the Shamash. You say the first two blessings and then light the candle. You then light the candle on the left first and then light from left to right. It is the same for each night of Hanukkah.