Frequently Asked Questions

On the first night of Hanukkah, place a Hanukkah Kits “candle” and “flame” in the holder on the far right of your Hanukkah Menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah. Place a “candle” in the largest holder, this is called the Shamash, also known as your helper “candle”. Remove the “candles” each night when you are done celebrating, so your menorah is ready to go the next night. On the second night, place two “candles” in your Hannukah menorah, starting in the holder second from the right and moving right, keeping the Shamash in place. Add one extra "candle" each night for the remaining nights of Hanukkah in the same manner.

It is believed that after the Maccabees' victory, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the temple. Miraculously the oil burned for eight days! Each night of Hanukkah, we light the Hanukkah menorah to celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. In addition to the other candles, the ninth candle, the Shamash, is used as a helper candle. During Hanukkah, families light one candle on the first day, two on the second, and so on, while reciting prayers and singing songs.

You're supposed to light the menorah just after dark each night of Hanukkah. However, many families wait until everyone is home together, and light it then. On Fridays of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.

Why not?! There are very few requirements for a kosher Hanukkah menorah. The basic rules of the menorah are to have eight candle holders, and one more, that is set a bit higher or lower than the rest, for the Shamash (leader) candle.

Menorahs can come in all shapes and sizes as well as in a variety of themes.

The Hanukkah candles are lit in the opposite direction from how they are placed in the Menorah. They are lit from left to right, so that the newest candle is always lit first. The shamash (helper candle), is lit first, and this candle is used to light all the other candles.

Your Shamash (helper candle) is the first candle to be lit each night of Hanukkah.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah