The Order of Lighting Hanukkah Candles and the Blessings: The Complete Guide
Everything you need for the eight nights: the blessings with vowels, the order of lighting, the times, and the customs.
Eight evenings a year the window fills with light. Each evening an additional candle is lit, blessings, songs, and the entire house gathers around the menorah. On this page is everything needed to light Hanukkah candles: full Hanukkah blessings with vowels, the order of lighting step-by-step, lighting times, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Hanukkah Blessings: The Full Text
Every evening before lighting the candles, the blessing for Hanukkah candles is recited, as well as the blessing "She'asa Nisim" (Who performed miracles). On the first night, the "Shehecheyanu" blessing is also added.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה. (the blessing appears in its original Hebrew)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה. (the blessing appears in its original Hebrew)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה. (the blessing appears in its original Hebrew)
Some follow the wording of the first blessing as נֵר חֲנֻכָּה, without the word שֶׁל (shown in its original Hebrew).
These candles
After lighting the first candle, one says:
הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַדְלִיקִין עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת, שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה, עַל יְדֵי כֹּהֲנֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים. וְכָל שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי חֲנֻכָּה הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ קֹדֶשׁ הֵם, וְאֵין לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶם, אֶלָּא לִרְאוֹתָם בִּלְבָד, כְּדֵי לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל נִסֶּיךָ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְעַל יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ. (the text appears in its original Hebrew)
The order of lighting Chanukah candles, step by step
The core of the Hanukkah lighting is publicizing the miracle, and therefore the menorah is placed in a spot visible from outside, and the blessings are recited before the lighting, as is customary for all commandments.
The place
Place the menorah in a visible spot: on a windowsill facing the street, or in the doorway of the house opposite the mezuzah. On a stable surface, away from curtains and flammable objects.
Arrangement of candles
On the first night, place one candle on the right end of the menorah, and each night add one candle to its left, until there are eight.
The sun
The shamash is the candle whose place is distinct and elevated from the other candles, and all of them are lit from it. Regarding when it is lit, there are two traditions: according to Ashkenazi custom, the shamash is lit before the blessings, and according to the Sephardic and Eastern rites custom, the shamash is lit only after all the other Hanukkah candles have been lit.
The Blessings
Hold the burning sun and recite the blessings in the wording above: two every evening, and three on the first evening.
The lighting
First, light the new candle of the evening, the leftmost one, and continue from it to the right. After lighting, say "These are the miracles" (Hanerot Halalu), and many are accustomed to singing "Maoz Tzur.".
Hanukkah candle lighting time
The common custom is to light the candles after nightfall, about 20 minutes after sunset, and some have the custom to light them at sunset. The candles should burn for at least half an hour, and ideally until people are no longer out and about. If one did not manage to light them on time, they light them during the night as long as the household members are awake.
On Shabbat evening during Hanukkah, the Hanukkah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles, and candles are chosen to burn until half an hour after nightfall. On Saturday night, they are lit after nightfall.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lighting Hanukkah Candles
Place the candles from right to left, and light them from left to right: the new candle of the evening is lit first, and then continue to the right.
One candle on the first night, and add a candle each night until eight on the last night, plus the shamash each night. A total of 44 candles for all the days of Hanukkah.
In the Ashkenazi custom, all household members light, and each person has their own menorah. In the Sephardic custom, one menorah is lit for the entire household, and the head of the household lights it for everyone.
Olive oil is considered the most luxurious, a reminder of the miracle of the oil cruse, and ordinary wax candles are kosher from the start and accepted in every home. The main thing is that the light burns for at least half an hour.
No. The candles are holy in memory of the miracle, and one does not read or use their light, and therefore the sun stands higher than them.
An ornate Hanukkah menorah for every window
Teshuva's menorah collection, monochromatic and multi-colored, for eight evenings of light.