Here's
How:
Always light newest candle first
1.
What
to Light
Buy or make a Hanukkah Menorah (also called a Hanukkiah). The Menorah should
have eight candle holders in a row and a separate candle holder for the
"Shamash." The Shamash candle is used to light the other eight candles
since it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah lights for any purpose other than
viewing.
2.
Where
to Light
To best publicize the miracle, the Hanukkah Menorah is ideally lit outside the
doorway of your house, on the left side when entering. If this is not practical,
then the Menorah should be lit in a window facing the public thoroughfare. If
the Menorah cannot be lit by the window, it may be lit inside the house on a
table, which at least fulfills the mitzvah of "publicizing the
miracle" for members of the household.
3.
When
to Light
The Menorah should preferably be lit immediately at nightfall. If necessary,
however, the Menorah can be lit late into the night. It is best to wait until
all members of the household are present to light the Menorah. The Menorah
should remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. On Friday afternoon,
the Menorah should be lit before sundown.
4.
How
to Light on the First Night
On the first night, place one candle in the Menorah's far right (as you face the
Menorah) candle holder. Another candle is placed for the Shamash (helper
candle). Say the below blessings and then light the candle using the Shamash
candle.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
Third
Blessing to Recite (only on the first night of Hanukkah)
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.
8.
How
to Light on the Second through Eighth Night
The second night, place two candles in the Menorah's far right (as you face the
Menorah) candle holders. Another candle is placed for the Shamash (helper
candle). Say the first two blessings above and then light the candles using the
Shamash candle. Light the left-most candle first and then light in order, from
left to right. Follow this procedure for each night of Hanukkah.
9.
Hanerot
Halalu
While lighting the candles themselves, Hanerot
Halalu is
traditionally recited.
Hanerot
Halalu, an ancient chant mentioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6), reminds us of
the sacred nature of the Hanukkah lights that are lit to commemorate and
publicize the Hanukkah miracles. The song states that our sole intent in
kindling Hanukkah lights is to publicize the miracle, and thus it is forbidden
to use the lights in any other way.
After the reciting of the Hanukkah blessings and lighting the new light for that
night, Hanerot Halalu is traditionally recited as additional lights are lit.
Transliteration
Hanerot halalu anachnu madlikin
Al hanissim ve'al haniflaot
Al hatshu-ot ve'al hamilchamot
She-asita la'avoteynu
Bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh
Al yedey kohanecha hakdoshim.
Vechol shmonat yemey Chanukah
Hanerot halalu kodesh hem,
Ve-ein lanu reshut lehishtamesh bahem
Ela lirotam bilvad
Kedai lehodot leshimcha
Al nissecha veal nifleotecha ve-al yeshuotecha.
Translation
We light these lights
For the miracles and the wonders,
For the redemption and the battles
That you made for our forefathers
In those days at this season,
Through your holy priests.
During all eight days of Chanukah
These lights are sacred
And we are not permitted to make
Ordinary use of them,
But only to look at them;
In order to express thanks
And praise to Your great Name
For your miracles, Your wonders
And your salvations.
10.
Maoz
Tzur
Once the candles have been lit,
Maoz Tzur is traditionally
sung.
(song playing at startup of this page.)
Maoz Tzur,
which translates from the Hebrew as "Rock of Ages", is traditionally
sung after reciting Hanukkah blessings and kindling Hanukkah lights.
The lyrics were written about 800-900 years ago in Europe. The tune that is
considered to be "traditional" in most parts of the Jewish world
today, is an adaptation of a German folk song.
Maoz Tzur is an acrostic poem with five stanzas. The first letter of each stanza
spells the poet's name, Mordechai, in Hebrew (mem, reish, dalet, kaf, yud).
The first stanza, below, thanks God for deliverance from our oppressors. The
next three stanzas tell the story of the exodus from Egypt and the liberation
from Babylonia, Persia, and Syria. The fifth verse recounts the story of
Hanukkah.
Stanza 1: Transliteration
Ma'oz tsur yeshu'ati
lecha na'eh leshabeakh.
Tikon beit tefilati
vesham todah nezaveakh.
Le'et tachin matbeakh
mitsar hamnabeakh,
'az 'egmor beshir mizmor
khanukat hamizbeakh.
Stanza 1: Popular English Translation (Rock of Ages)
Rock of ages, let our song
Praise Your saving power;
You, amid the raging foes,
Were our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us,
But Your arm availed us,
And Your word,
Broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.
Stanza 1: Literal Translation
O mighty stronghold of my salvation,
to praise You is a delight.
Restore my House of Prayer and there
we will bring a thanksgiving offering.
When You will have prepared the
slaug
hter for the blaspheming foe,
Then I shall complete with a song of hymn
the dedication of the Altar.
Tips:
1.
Allow
each child to light their own Hanukkah menorah. Even three and four-year-olds
can light candles with help. Line the table on which the menorahs stand with
aluminum foil. It is really beautiful to have a group of Menorahs all lit
together, especially on the eighth night.
2.
Sing
Maoz Tzur and other Hanukkah songs together after lighting the Menorah.
(song playing at startup of this page.)
