PLACING THE CANDLES

Place candles in the chanukiah, the Chanukah menorah, from right to left. On the first night of Chanukah, begin with one candle for the shamash (usually raised above the rest), and the first night's candle. Each of the eight nights, you will add an additional candle before lighting.

After placing candles, but before lighting, recite the following blessings. Then, light candles from left to right lighting the newest candle first. "Left to right, that's how you light!" 

Need additional help? The PJ library has a printable guide.

Click the speaker icon to listen or the download icon to download a recording of the prayer.

First Blessing

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִידְשָׁנו בְּמִצוֹתָיו וְצִיוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חַנֻכָה
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

Second Blessing

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
Praised are you, lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors at this season.

Third Blessing

(recited on the first night only)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָּנוּ, וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיָּענוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh
Praised are you, lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.