What is the proper way to light a menorah?

On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder on the far right, and light it with the shamash. Then put the shamash back in its spot (leaving it lit). On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash.

How many lights should be lit on the menorah?

The candles should be placed from right to left. On the first night, there should be one candle on the far right of the chanukiah, plus the shamash. On the second night, there should be two candles on the right, plus the shamash, and so on.

Do you put all the candles in the menorah at once?

Yes! Unlike the other eight candles, which represent the eight days of Chanukah, the shamash’s job is to light the other candles. Not only should you insert the shamash into the menorah before you light it, you should insert all the candles that need to be lit that day before you start lighting any of them.

How should Hanukkah candles be lit?

Most sources agree that we put the candles in from the right side, then light the newest candle first which means that we light from left to right. In this way, our hand never crosses over or casts a shadow on the lights of the candles, but only if we are using our right hand to light the candles.

What time do we light Chanukah candles?

When to Light Chanukah candles should be at nightfall (tzeis hakochavim – when the stars appear). There are opinions that maintain that Chanukah lights should be kindled at shkiya (sunset). Accordingly, many contemporary authorities calculated intermediate times to light in order to accommodate all the opinions.

What time do you light the Hanukkah candles 2020?

In 2020, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 10, and continues through Friday, December 18. The first candle is lit on the Chanukiah (menorah) on this date. Note: Hanukkah begins and ends at sundown on the dates listed below. See Sunrise and Sunset Times for your area.

Why are there 9 candles on a menorah?

Light the Menorah The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.

What do the candles represent on the menorah?

Light the Menorah Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.

What do the 7 branches of the menorah represent?

Since biblical times, the seven-branched menorah has symbolized Judaism. For many Jews in antiquity, the menorah’s seven branches represented the five visible planets, plus the sun and the moon, and its rounded branches suggested their trajectories across the heavens.

Why is the menorah lit for 8 days?

In order to rededicate the temple, the Maccabees had to light a menorah that would burn within the temple at all times. However, they only had enough pure olive oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, leaving time to find a fresh supply of oil.