Thursday, December 06, 2007

Hanukkah 3rd Night

We got a dusting of snow with our second night of Hanukkah. Both girls were very excited for that. Mom, not so excited. This morning of course it is a sheet of ice out there and both Mom and Miss Sunshine are buckets of snot - sorry to be gross.

Today might be a Hot chocolate, curl up in bed, knit and watch movies kind of day for the two of us.

How to Light A Menorah (The Hanukkah Candelabra)

Things You'll Need
Candles
Menorahs (Has 9 places for candles)
Matches

Step One
Place the menorah in a central spot in your home where all who pass can see its glow.

Step Two
Recite the following blessing at nightfall on the first day of Hanukkah before you light the candle on the far right: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah."

Step Three
Light the shamash, or service candle, and then use it to light the candle, or oil wick, on the far right of the menorah. As you do so, say the following: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, at this season, in days past." Replace the shamash in its holder and let both candles glow until they burn themselves out.

Step Four
Add the following shehechiyanu blessing only on the first night of Hanukkah: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave us life and kept us and delivered us to this time." (You can say this blessing at anything actually during the first of many events. When you give birth, child first walks, made it through a tough time, etc.)

Step Five
Light two candles on the second night, keeping in mind that you always light from left to right using the shamash.

Step Six
Continue with three candles on the third night in the same manner, and continue doing this each night until, on the eighth night, all eight candles are burning brightly (nine, including the shamash). On each night, repeat the first two blessings quoted above.

The menorah should be filled from right to left, but the candles lighted from left to right.

The placement of the shamash can vary with different menorahs, but it will be set apart in some way. It may be in the center of the menorah, or it may be raised above the others.

On Friday, light the candles before sunset to avoid lighting on the Sabbath.

As you do with all lighted candles, keep these ones away from highly flammable objects and well beyond the reach of small children.

2 comments:

SissySees said...

Beautiful. I love rituals and traditions, and I so appreciate you sharing this with us!

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for sharing this! i'm curious about things like this, but am always reluctant to ask...

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