The traditional Hanukkah candle lighting service consists of saying all three blessings on the first night, and only the first and second blessings for the seven nights to follow. Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Then, What do the 8 days of Hanukkah stand for?

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

What is the prayer to light the menorah? First, say, Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Keeping this in consideration, What do you read on Hanukkah?

As you light the first candle of Hanukkah, you read a special blessing called the Shehecheyanu. The Hebrew reading is Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh.

Why is there 9 candles in 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 are 3 interesting facts about Hanukkah?

The word Hanukkah means “dedication.” The holiday commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews known as the Maccabees in reclaiming their temple from the Greek-Syrians. 2 Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, to commemorate how long the holy light burned. 3 A Menorah is lit each night of the holiday.

What does the 7 candles in a menorah stand for?

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.

Which candle do you light first on the menorah?

Step 3: Light the Shamash The candle that is raised or in the center of the menorah is the shamash (helper candle). It’s the one you use to light the other candles. Light it first.

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.

What food is eaten during Hanukkah?

One of the most popular foods eaten during Hanukkah are latkes, which are fried potato pancakes. Some Jewish people eat latkes sweet, accompanied with apple sauce, while others prefer them savoury, served with sour cream. Either way, they’re a treat for the taste buds.

What order are the candles lit on Hanukkah?

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.

What is the difference between a 7 candle menorah and a 9 candle menorah?

A menorah, which has only seven candleholders, was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. A Hanukkiah, however, has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.

Do you light Hanukkah candles left right?

A: The candles are lighted in the opposite direction from how they are placed in the chanukiah. They are lighted from left to right, so that the newest candle is always lighted first. … (On the Shabbat of Hanukkah, kindle the Hanukkah lights first and then the Shabbat candles.)

What are 5 facts about Hanukkah?

8 Interesting Things You May Not Know About Hanukkah

  • Hanukkah Isn’t A Major Jewish Holiday. …
  • A Menorah Is Actually A “Hanukiah” …
  • 17.5 Million Donuts Are Eaten In Israel During Hannukah. …
  • The Dreidel Was Used As A Cover-Up For Studying The Torah. …
  • Gifts Are Only Given Because It’s Close To Christmas.

What are 4 facts about Hanukkah?

12 Fun Hanukkah Facts

  • What is Hanukkah? …
  • Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, to commemorate how long the holy light burned. …
  • A Menorah is lit each night of the holiday. …
  • Gifts were not always given for Hanukkah. …
  • Hanukkah dishes are fried for a reason.

Why do Hanukkah have 44 candles?

Jews light the candles in the menorah from left to right, lighting a new candle, candles for the previous days, and the helper candle each night. You’ll need to use a whopping 44 candles to celebrate Hanukkah since you light two candles the first night, three the second night, four the third night, and so on.

Is menorah in the Bible?

The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. … Although the menorah disappeared and the Talmud forbade its reconstruction, it became a popular symbol signifying Judaism.

Why are there 9 candles on the 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 time do you light Chanukah candles?

When to Light

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. Chanukah candles should be lit within a half hour of nightfall.

Is the menorah only used during Hanukkah?

Menorah, also spelled menora, multibranched candelabra, used in the religious rituals of Judaism, that has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. An eight-branched menorah modeled after the Temple menorah is used by Jews in rites during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. …

What are 4 popular foods at Hanukkah?

Hanukkah Menu

  • Brisket. Brisket is enjoyed during many Jewish holidays besides Hanukkah, such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover. …
  • Latkes. Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are made from shallow-fried shredded or mashed potatoes. …
  • Kugel. …
  • Sufganiyot. …
  • Hanukkah Gelt.

Why are jelly donuts eaten on Hanukkah?

Why do we eat latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) on Chanukah? The short answer is because the holiday of Chanukah is about the small jar of oil miraculously lasting for eight days and therefore, frying foods in oil commemorates that miracle.

What do you eat on the first day of Hanukkah?

During the Hanukkah holiday, families eat latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (round jelly doughnuts), and other foods to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights.

Where in the Bible is the menorah mentioned?

The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.

What colors are the menorah candles?

The color blue is also mentioned extensively throughout other religious texts, according to Chabad. Today’s Hanukkah decorations carry on the tradition of the holiday’s early American popularity, in that they look just like Christmas decorations, but they’re blue and white.

What does the menorah symbolize?

Judaism. The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment. … The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath.