How to light the Chanukiah Candles?
- Arrange the lights on the Chanukiah. On the first night, set one candle to the far right of the menorah (as you look at it from the front). On the following night, add a second light to the left of the first one, and then add one light each night of Chanukah – moving from right to left.
- Gather everyone in the house around.
- Light the Shamash candle. Then hold it in your right hand (unless you are left-handed).
- While standing, recite the appropriate blessings.
- Light the candles. Each night, light the newest (left-most) candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
Remember: We add candles to the Chanukiah from right to left, while we light the candles from left to right.
Blessings to be said while lighting the Chanukiah lights
Before lighting the Chanukah candles, we thank G‑d for giving us this special mitzvah, and for the incredible Chanukah miracles:
First Blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיְ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה
Ba-ruch at-tah ADONAI e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha’-o-lam a-sher kid-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-vanu le-had-lik ner shel cha-nuk-kah.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Second Blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיְ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Ba-ruch at-tah ADONAI e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha’-o-lam she’-a-sah nis-sim la’-avo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim hahem baze-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
Those of us who are not Jewish should consider using the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיְ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Ba-ruch at-tah ADONAI e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha’-o-lam she’-a-sah nis-sim liv-nei Yisrael, ba-ya-mim hahem baze-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who made miracles for the children of Israel in those days at this time.
Third Blessing
On the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, Nov 28, 2021 (or the first time on Chanukah you perform this mitzvah), add the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיְ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Ba-ruch at-tah ADONAI e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha’-o-lam she-he-che-yanu ve-ki-ye-manu ve-hig-gi’-anu laze-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‐d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
Originally published on Nov 21, 2018