Holiday Information

Happy Chanukah - Chag Urim Sameach!

The first candle lighting is Sunday evening, December 2, 2018.

Read the Chanukah blessings and songs online in English, Hebrew and transliteration.

Setting Up Chanukah Candles

Candles are lit on each of the eight nights of Chanukah—one the first night, two the second, and an additional candle on each subsequent night. We place the chanukiyah in the window in order to share the miracles of the holiday with anyone passing by our homes. The candle for the first night is placed at the far right of the chanukiyah; on each subsequent night, another candle is added to the left. An extra candle, designated as the shamash, is lit first, then used to light the others after the blessings are recited.

 When Should We Light?

Weekdays: Each weekday, we light the chanukiyah as soon after dark as possible.

Erev Shabbat: On Friday afternoon, we light the chanukiyah just before we light Shabbat candles, at least 18 minutes before sunset. In 2018, we light candles by 4:08pm. Since we light the Chanukiyah candles before dark on Friday, it’s customary to use longer-burning candles (Shabbat candles are perfectly acceptable for use in the chanukah)—they should burn about 1.5 hours.

After Shabbat: On Saturday evening, we light the Chanukiyah candles after Havdalah. In 2018, Havdalah is at 5:15pm.

Chanukah Blessings & Maoz Tzur

Each night of Chanukah, we light the shamash and recite two blessings then use the shamash to light the candles. On the first night, we add the blessing of Shehecheyanu.

Listen to the Chanukah Blessings and Maoz Tzur here:

Chanukah Blessing 1

Chanukah Blessing 2

Chanukah Blessing 3

HaNerot Halalu

Maoz Tzur

Chanukah Bash Photos