Happy Channukah – How To light the Menorah
BS”D
How To Light the Menorah
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A few things to remember:
Light up when?
Right after nightfall, once it’s dark outside (aside for Friday afternoon, when the candles are lit shortly before sunset).
Light up what?
The Menorah or holder used for lighting the lights should be attractive and clean. All 8 Chanukah lights need to be lined up on the same level, BUT the Shamash candle must be separate!
The preferred way to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the Channukah Menorah is to use pure olive oil and wicks of cotton, just like the Menorah in the Holy Temple.
Nevertheless, other types of oils, wicks and candles may be used, as long as they give a steady light!
Light up how?
We place candles in the Menorah from right to left, but we light the candles from left to right.
On the first night we light one candle on the right side.
On the second night we light the new, candle first, starting from the left and moving to the right.
We continue this way every night of Chanukah, adding a candle each night.
Follow the Leader!
The Chanukah candles can NOT be used to light each other, which is why we use the Shamash Candle to light the Menorah.
The Shamash is NOT one of the 8 Chanukah candles, so we set it in a place above the rest. The Shamash can be made out of sweet-smelling beeswax.
The lights of the Chanukah candles are special – only for looking at, NOT for using. It is good for the eyes – and the soul!
Light up how long?
The Channukah candles are supposed to burn for at least a half hour.
On Friday-night, though, we have to light them before it gets dark and Shabbat comes in.
We generally use more oil, or bigger candles on Friday, so that the candles will stay burning, well into Shabbat!
Step 1: Insert the candles starting from the RIGHT to left. On the first night, the RIGHT-most candle is lit.
On the second, the two candles are set from RIGHT to left and the one that is the new one (like the 2nd night, the 1st from left is lit first) on the right are lit, etc.
Step 2: Light the Shamash (Servant Candle).
Step 3: Recite the Blessings (See Below).
Step 4: Using the Shamash, in the middle, Light the candles starting on the Left
(lighting tonight’s “new” candle first).
*** So, remember: To Set from RIGHT to left. BUT,
to Light tonight’s “new” candle first ***
Blessings for lighting the Menorah
On Every Night, Recite BOTH of the following Blessings:
Transliteration:
1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Cha-nu-kah.
2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim bi-zman ha-zeh.
Translation:
1. Blessed are You, L-o-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
2. Blessed are You, L-o-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
On the first night Add
(OR IF it is the 1st Night that you are lighting for this year):
3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-hechi-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.
Translation:
3. Blessed are You, L-o-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
Another more important thing to remember:
Your participation in a Public Menorah-Lighting and/or Celebration does NOT fulfill your obligation of performance of the Mitzvah of Lighting your Menorah in your home
That means:
If you went to someone’s home
OR
went to a Public Menorah Lighting
OR
If you went to a party where they lit the Menorah,
you STILL NEED to:
Go HOME and Light your own Menorah in your own home!!!
Plus:
Ladies who have NO Husband or Son in their home,
Still:
NEED to light their Menorah by themselves
Happy Chanukah!
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
*** We WANT Moshiach, Now!!! ***
By the way, You, too, can help hasten the coming of Moshiach, by doing ONE more Mitzvah. ***
*** We WANT Moshiach, Now!!! ***
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