Chanukah Candle Lighting Prayer

Chanukah Candle Lighting Prayers

One candle is added to the menorah each night. The first night, you light only the shammus (usually the the highest candle) and one Chanukkah candle. By the eighth night, you light all of the candles.

Candles should be added to the menorah from right to left (like Hebrew writing). The shammus candle is lit first. While holding the shammus candle, recite the following blessings.

chanukah-blessing-a

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us
to light the lights of Chanukkah. (Amen)Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
asher kidishanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu
l’had’lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein)

chanukah-blessing-b

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time. (Amen)Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein)

This prayer is said on the first night only.

chanukah-blessing-c

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season (Amen)Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh. (Amein)