Chanukah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the miracle of one day's supply of oil burning for eight days in a menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem.The chanukiah, the candelabra that many refer to as a menorah, is the center of Chanukah.Each of the eight nights of Chanukah has a different way of lighting the chanukiah.
Step 1: Light the candle.
Once the sun has set, use a match, lighter, or other flame source to light the shamash candle.It is important to light the shamash first.You should never light the other candles before using the shamash.Candles should be lit before sunset on Friday night so they burn for at least 30 minutes after the sun sets.
Step 2: The first blessing should be over the candles.
A blessing is said over the candle lighting in a Jewish ceremony.You will say this blessing on the first night of Chanukah.As her kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah, Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe.The traditional tune can be used to sing the blessing.You can say it in English if you can not say the Hebrew.It is customary for others to say "amen" after each blessing is said.
Step 3: Allow the second blessing.
Every night of Chanukah, after the candle lighting blessing, the second blessing is read, thanking God for the miracles he performed for Jewish ancestors.Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who made miracles for our forefathers.
Step 4: On the first night of Chanukah, get the Shehecheyanu.
If it is the first night of Chanukah, you should recite the Shehecheyanu.Every time you do something for the first time, or do a specific ritual, the Shehecheyanu is said.On the first night of Chanukah, say this blessing, but not on the following nights.V'kiyamanu vehegianu lazman hazeh, O Lord Our God, who has kept us alive, sustained us.
Step 5: The shamash is used to light the candles.
Pick the shamash candle up with your dominant hand after you recite the blessings.The shamash can be used to light the candle from left to right.Light the newest candle first, then light the preceding candles.The new candle represents the new night of Chanukah, so light the candles from left to right.The shamash should always be used to light the candles.Don't use an already lit candle to light the others.
Step 6: The shamash candle should be placed back in its slot.
When you're done lighting the candles, put the shamash candle back in its slot.You just finished lighting your chanukiah.
Step 7: The window has a chanukiah in it.
Placing the chanukiah in the window is a way of showing your Jewish heritage.The Hellenistic forces were defeated by the Jewish Maccabees in the Chanukah story.The chanukiah should be placed in a window of the door.The chanukiah is on the left side of a doorway, so that the family can be surrounded by commands as they celebrate Chanukah.
Step 8: Let the candles go out.
Rather than extinguishing the candles, let them run their course.Make sure they burn for at least half an hour after sunset.If you have to leave the house, make sure they burn for at least 30 minutes after you lit them.Make sure to burn candles for at least half an hour after the sun sets if it is Shabbat.If you have to leave the house, burn the candles for at least 30 minutes to make them safe.
Step 9: Begin at sunset on the 24th day of Kislev.
The 24th day of Kislev is when Chanukah begins on the Jewish calendar.Chanukah begins on a different day each year on the Roman calendar.Chanukah begins in the evening of Thursday, December 10, and ends on Friday,December 18.
Step 10: Just after sunset, gather your family or friends.
All Jewish holidays begin at sunset, so you should get your friends or family with you to light the candles just after the sun sets.A very important aspect of Chanukah is the candle lighting ritual.Try to include other people in the candle lighting.The menorah should be lit before sunset on Friday.The lighting of the menorah should not be done after the start of Shabbat because it is considered work.
Step 11: The shamash should be placed in the chanukiah.
There are nine slots for candles on your chanukiah, with eight on one level and one elevated above the rest.The shamash is the candle used to light all the candles.There is a candle in this elevated spot.Before the other candles, you place and light the shamash.The word "shamash" means "attendant" in Hebrew, and its elevation away from the other candles is meant to separate it from Chanukah candles.It alludes to its role in lighting the other candles.It doesn't matter what color candles you use.Some prefer traditional blue and white candles while others prefer different colored candles.The candelabra Jewish people use for Chanukah is a menorah with seven branches.The chanukiah has become accepted as the same thing as a menorah.If you want to be technically correct, call the candelabra a chanukiah.An electric chanukiah is a great decoration, but can't be used to fulfill the ceremony of Chanukah.To fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the chanukiah, you need to use a candle.
Step 12: Add the other candles.
You add one more candle during Chanukah.Place a candle in the right-most spot on the first night of Chanukah.After the first night of Chanukah, add one candle for each night, starting from the right-most slot and going left.The shamash candle should be placed in the right-most slot on the second night of Chanukah.The second night of Chanukah candle should be placed in the slot next to the previous candle.Add a fourth candle in the slot third to the right on the third night.