How to Light the Chanukah Menorah

Lighting the Menorah is a mitzvah done on every night of Chanukah. Chanukah is observed by a majority of the religious and even secular Jews because of its popular observance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Menorah with nine candle holders.
• Nine new candles for each night.
• Matches or a lighter

1. 
   The Chanukkah miracle is the reason why we light Menorah.

   First you must understand why we light the Menorah. The reason we light is to remember how the Maccabees had a victory over Syrians and Greeks. But there was one problem, the oil in the Temple was only enough for only one night. But after all, the oil lasted for eight full days. When we light the Menorah, its to remember this miracle.

2. 
   Placing a Menorah in the window publicizes the miracle.

   When lighting, One should place the Menorah near a window if your Ashkenazic. Or if your Sephardic or Mizrahi place it in the room that is in the center of the home. Ashkenazic and some Sephardic Jews follow this custom to publicize the miracle. Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews don't place it near a window because of Jewish history with anti semetism and such publicizing wasn't allowed in such countries long ago.

3. 
   Place the candle on the far right side of the Menorah on the first evening.

   Place the candle or pour the oil on the farest right side of the Menorah from where you light the candle or oil.

4. 
   Light the Shammash which lights all other candles and then say the blessing.

   Light the Shammash. This is the helper candle which is used to light all other candles. Now say the blessings:
   1. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam, asher kidishanu bmitzvotav vtzivanu lhadlik ner shel Chanukah.
   Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, ruler of the universe who sanctifies us with the commandments and commanded us to light the Chanukah lights.
   2. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam sheasah nisim avoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh
   Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors this time long ago.
   3. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam shecheyanu vkiymanu vhigyanu lazman hazeh.
   Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, king of the universe who has supported us, protected us, and enabled us to reach this joyous day.

5. 
   Many sing songs and prayers while the candles burn low.

   Let the candles burn for at least a half an hour or until they burn out. Many use this time to sing songs, read the Chanukah story and say blessings. I will include them in the links section.

6. 
   Always light the Shabbat candles after the Chanukah menorah.

   Add a candle each night from where the candle was lit on the first night and add a candle each night toward the left direction. Say all but the third prayer on each night.
   1. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam, asher kidishanu bmitzvotav vtzivanu lhadlik ner shel Chanukah.
   Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, ruler of the universe who sanctifies us with the commandments and commanded us to light the Chanukah lights.
   2. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam sheasah nisim avoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh
   Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors this time long ago.

Tips & Warnings

• When you place the Menorah on the street, it publicizes the miracle that the Maccabbes made.
• If you don't understand Hebrew, you may say the blessing in your own native language.
• Always use the Shammash to light the other candles.
• Many keep a Shabbat light restriction during the time the candles are lit to focus our attentions on the candles and Chanukah.
• Candles should be lit 30 minutes after sunset. On Friday evening one should light the candles an 15-30 minutes before the Shabbat one.
• Many use thicker or longer lasting candles or more oil on Friday evening to keep the candles lit longer.
• Never light the candles after sunset on Friday evening
• Never physically blow out the candles unless if its for safety reasons or for any other reason as long as they have been lit for at least 30 minutes to an hour straight.
• Always light in a area that has low traffic and away from any flammable fabrics or on a dusty table.

Resources

• Beit Midrash Yeshiva
• You For Judaism
• Hanerot Halalu Prayer
• Maoz Tzur Song