A: The candles are lighted in the opposite direction from how they are placed in the chanukiah. They are lighted from left to right, so that the newest candle is always lighted first. The helper candle, or shamash, is lighted first, and that candle is used to light all the other candles.

Which candle is lit first on the menorah?

The menorah has one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight nights. 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.

Do you put all the candles in the menorah at once?

Every night of Chanukah, you add one more candle. On the first night of Chanukah, place a candle in the right-most slot. After the first night of Chanukah, add one candle for each night, starting from the right-most slot and going left.

Why do menorahs have 7 candles?

The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.

What do you say when lighting Hanukkah candles?

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights.

What do you sing when you light the menorah?

After lighting the menorah, it’s customary to sing “Maoz Tzur” (Rock of Ages), the timeless song of the Maccabees’ fight for freedom.

How long do Hanukkah candles need to burn?

There must be sufficient fuel to last for a half hour. Regardless of when one lights, there must be enough fuel for the lights to burn at least half an hour past nightfall (or sunset according to the opinion of the Gra).

What do you say on the first night of Hanukkah?

The traditional Hanukkah candle lighting service consists of saying all three blessings on the first night, and only the first and second blessings for the seven nights to follow. Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

What do the 7 candles stand for?

The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Why does a menorah have 9?

Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited.

Why is the shamash higher?

The shamash always sits a bit higher or lower than the rest of the candles so as to not get confused with the others. The candles are placed on the menorah from right to left, the same direction in which one reads Hebrew.

What do you eat on Hanukkah?

10 Best Traditional Hanukkah Foods
Latkes.Beef brisket.Roasted chicken.Kugel.Matzo ball soup.Rugelach.Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)Challah.

What do you do on the first day of Hanukkah?

The first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite three blessings and two on the remaining days. After lighting the menorah, Jews will sing Hanerot Halalu, a hymn with many variations across cultures. But the main theme consists of addressing the reasons for lighting the menorah and giving thanks and praise to God.

How many menorahs should you have?

Every household needs at least one Menorah. However, the more candles we light, the better! In fact, the ancient rabbis teach us that we add to the mitzvah (commandment) by lighting multiple Menorahs.

What does the Star of David symbolize?

The star was almost universally adopted by Jews in the 19th-century as a striking and simple emblem of Judaism in imitation of the cross of Christianity. The yellow badge that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi-occupied Europe invested the Star of David with a symbolism indicating martyrdom and heroism.

What’s the difference between a menorah and a Hanukkiah?

A menorah, which has only seven candleholders, was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. A Hanukkiah, however, has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.