December 14-21, 2025 • 25 Kislev - 2 Tevet
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. We celebrate by lighting the menorah each night, adding one candle each evening, playing dreidel, eating fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot, and giving gelt (chocolate coins or money) to children.
Setup: Place candles in the menorah from right to left, adding a new candle each night to the left of the previous ones.
Lighting: Light the candles from left to right, starting with the newest candle (the one added that night). Use the shamash (helper candle) to light the others.
Blessings: Recite the blessings BEFORE lighting the candles.
Timing: The custom is to light shortly after sunset (nightfall). The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes.
Placement: Place the menorah in a doorway or window visible from the street to publicize the miracle.
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Bonus: Tehillim 30, 19, 67, 121, 100, 33, 150 (in this order)
Full Hallel: Recite the complete Hallel (Psalms 113-118) every day of Chanukah during morning prayers.
Recite all three blessings and kindle one light in the menorah.
First night - recite Shehecheyanu blessing
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle two lights in the menorah.
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle three lights in the menorah.
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle four lights in the menorah.
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle five lights in the menorah.
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle six lights in the menorah. The menorah should be lit BEFORE lighting the Shabbat Candles (18 minutes before sunset).
Light BEFORE Shabbat candles
The menorah is lit AFTER Shabbat ends and the Havdalah is recited. Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle seven lights in the menorah.
Light AFTER Havdalah
Recite blessings 1 and 2 and kindle eight lights in the menorah.
Final night - all eight lights