How to Celebrate the Eighth Night of Hanukkah

Hanukkah typically starts out with a bang and then quietly fades over the course of a week. But certain religious Jews consider the eighth night, also called Zot Hanukkah, the most significant. Here's how to celebrate Hanukkah meaningfully on the last night, even if you are not Hasidic or a Kabbalist.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Put new candles in the menorah since the ones you used during the seven previous nights have melted into oblivion.

2. Light the menorah about a half hour after sundown, using the shamash candle to brighten each of the eight candles. Light them from right to left. This night all eight shine brightly.

3. Say the first two of the Hanukkah blessings as the candles are lit. If the eighth night falls on a Friday, the candle lighting and prayers must take place after you've lit Shabbat candles and said the Shabbat prayers.

4. Discuss the meaning of the eighth night of Hanukkah, also called Zot Hanukkah. Kabbalist and Hasidic Jews view the final night of Hanukkah as a day of penance, similar to Yom Kippur. Even if you don't practice this aspect of the Jewish faith, you can still think reflectively about your life's path--and what changes you might want to enact.

5. Exchange remaining gifts, which typically are small and either fun or sentimental in nature. Treat children to chocolate Hanukkah gelt or to coins--which they can take for themselves and put some in a sedekah or charity box.