The Chanukah Menorah
The Chanukah Lights should be kindled at nightfall on each of the eight nights of Chanukah. What follows is a brief, step-by-step guide to Chanukah observance. Happy Chanukah!
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Setting Up Your Menorah |
It is preferable to use cotton wicks in olive oil, or paraffin candles, in amounts large enough to burn until half an hour after nightfall. If not, regular candles can be used as well. The candles of a menorah must be of equal height in a straight row. The shamash, the servant candle that kindles the other lights, should stand out from the rest (i.e. higher or lower). The Chanukah Lights must burn for at least half an hour each night. Before kindling the lights, make sure that there is enough oil (or if candles are used, that they are big enough) to last half an hour. |
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How to Light |
On the first night of Chanukah one light is kindled, on the following night, two, the third night, three, and so on, so that on the eighth night of Chanukah eight lights are kindled (not including the servant candle). The candles are placed in the Menorah from right to left, so that on the first night only the far right one is used, on the second the two furthest to the right, and so on. The lights are then kindled left to right, so that the additional light of each night is kindled first. |
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Special Shabbat Requirements |
On Friday eve, the Chanukah Lights are kindled before the Shabbat Lights (which are lit 18 minutes before sundown). Additional oil or larger candles should be provided for the Chanukah Lights to make sure they will last half an hour after nightfall. Note: From the time the Shabbat candles are lit until Shabbat ends and the Havdalah (separation between Shabbat and weekday) prayer is recited, the Chanukah menorah should not be re-lit, moved or prepared. After Shabbat ends, the Chanukah lights for Saturday night are kindled. |
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Sitting by the Lights |
One is not to benefit from the light of the candles, only from the shamash and other sources of light. During the time the candles are burning, it is customary to sit by the candles, and tell stories relating to the holiday. Work should not be done in the proximity of the burning candles. Some women have a custom to refrain from household work during the half hour that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a big role in the Chanukah story. |
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More Chanukah Prayers |
During the eight days of Chanukah, we recite the Al HaNissim liturgy in the Amidah (daily silent prayer) and in Grace After Meals. The complete “Hallel” prayer (see your prayerbook) is also said in the morning service. A portion of the Torah is read daily in the Synagogue during morning prayers. |
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Extra Charity |
It is customary to increase one’s daily giving to charity on Chanukah. On Fridays we give double, to account for Shabbat. |
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Chanukah Gelt |
It is traditional to give all children Chanukah gelt (money). Of course, this beautiful custom adds to the children’s happiness and festive spirit. In addition, it affords us an opportunity to give them positive reinforcement for exemplary behavior, such as diligence in their studies, and acts of charity. Chanukah Gelt is given to children after lighting the menorah. The children should be encouraged to give charity from a portion of their money. |
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Holiday Foods |
Because of the great significance of oil in the story of the Chanukah miracle, it is traditional to serve foods cooked in oil. Among the most popular Chanukah dishes are potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts). |
Playing Dreidel
The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, also called a “s’vivon,” in Hebrew. On each side is a Hebrew letter: “Nun,” “Gimel,” “Hay,” and “Shin.”
The letters stand for the phrase, “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – a great miracle happened there.” It is traditionally used to play a lively Chanukah game.
Each player places some raisins, candies, or nuts into a kitty, and the players take turns spinning the dreidel. “Nun” means nothing, you win nothing, you lose nothing. “Gimel” means you take all. “Hay” means you win half of what is in the kitty. “Shin” means you lose, and must put more into the kitty.
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The Origin of the Dreidel
The Syrians decreed that the teaching or studying of Torah was a crime punishable by death or imprisonment. But the children defiantly studied in secret; and when Syrian patrols were spotted, they would pretend to be playing an innocent game of dreidel.
Menorah Kindling Blessings
Before kindling the lights, recite:
The following blessing is said only on the first evening (or the first time one kindles the lights this Chanukah):
After Kindling The Lights, Haneiros Hallalu Is Recited.
Translation of Haneiros Hallalu:
