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| LIGHTING THE MENORAH To publicize which night of Chanukah it is, the menorah must easily display how many candles have been lit. Therefore, all 8 candleholders on the menorah should be at the same height and preferably in a straight line. In addition to the main 8 lights, each Menorah has an extra helper candle called the "Shamash" Since we are forbidden to use the Chanukah lights for any purpose other than "viewing," any benefit derived (i.e light or warmth) is as if coming from the Shamash. Since the Shamash does not count as one of the regular 8 lights, your Menorah should have the Shamash set apart in some way, either placed higher than the other candles, or significantly off to the side. WHAT CANDLES TO LIGHT Your candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. Many Jewish bookstores sell longer lasting candles. It is even better to use olive oil, since the miracle of the Maccabees occurred with olive oil. Many Jewish bookstores sell kits of pre-measured oil portions in disposable cups. These cups can simply be placed in the candle-holders of any standard menorah. WHERE TO LIGHT The Menorah should be lit in a window facing the public thoroughfare. Someone who lives on an upper floor should light in a window. If for some reason the Menorah cannot be lit by the window, it may be lit inside the house on a table; this at least fulfills the mitzvah of "publicizing the miracle" for the members of the household. WHEN TO LIGHT The Menorah should preferably be lit immediately at nightfall with all of the members of the household present. This adds to the family atmosphere and also maximizes the mitzvah of "publicizing the miracle." However, the Menorah can be lit (with the blessings) late into the night, as long as people are still awake. SPECIAL SHABBAT PROCEDURE On Friday afternoon, the Menorah should be lit 18 minutes before sunset. Since the Menorah needs to burn for 30 minutes into the actual night, the candles used on Friday need to be bigger than the regular "colored candles" and should burn for at least an hour. HOW TO LIGHT On the first night of Chanukah place a candle in the far right of the menorah (facing you). Place another candle in the place designated for the Shamash. Each additional night add candles starting from the right side of the menorah. Sephardim use an additional candle to light the Chanuka candles and to light the Shamash; we do not use the Shamash to light the other candles. THE LIGHTING PROCEDURE 1) Light your utility candle 2) Say the blessings 3) Light the candles with your utility candle, always lighting from left to right, light the Shamash last. Chant Hanerot Hallalu while lighting the candles. 4) You may extinguish your utility candle and reuse the following night. |
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