WHO

• Only the man of the house should light the menorah. He is the representative of the household doing it for the mother and children.
• Children who insist on lighting can light the shamash (the big candle) or the extra candles, however not the new candle that was added that night.
• No one except the man of the house should light the first candle.
• A man that is out on a business trip should have his wife light for him in his household.
• A student that is studying abroad does not light a menorah. If they wish to, they may do so without a blessing.

WHEN

• Our custom is to light at nightfall (tset hakochavim), except on Shabbat.
• If one did not light at nightfall, they may do so until 30 minutes before sunrise.

WHERE

• The menorah should be placed where it will be seen by the most amount of people.
• Usually, that means in the front window of one’s house facing the street.
• If one can, the ideal place for the menorah is outside one’s house door, opposite the mezuzah. (Looking at the door, the mezuzah is on the right, the menorah is on the left). The menorah should be at least 12 inches from the floor.
• If one lives in a building, on a floor higher than 10 meters/30 feet, they may place the menorah anywhere they wish in the house. Some opinions recommend placing it outside one’s apartment door (for the other neighbours to see).
• Once the menorah is lit, it should not be moved. If you really must move it, it’s permitted to do so.

HOW

• First light the shamash (the biggest candle), then say the blessing (see the below), then say HANEROT HALALOO and MIZMOR SHIR CHANUKAT HABAYIT…
• We add a candle for each additional night (1st night: 1 candle + shamash, 2nd night: 2 candles + shamash…)
• The menorah should stay lit for at least 30 minutes.
• If the wind blew a candle(s)out, one does not have to relight it (unless it was in an obviously windy area)

The blessings are the following:

1. BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELO-HEINU MELECH HA OLAM, ASHER KIDEH-SHANU B’MITSVOTAV, V’TSIVANU L’HADLIK NER CHANUKAH.
2. BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELO-HEINU MELECH HA OLAM, SHEH ASA NISSIM L’AVOTEINU BAYAMEEM HAHEM, BAZEHMAN HAZEH.
3. BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELO-HEINU MELECH HA OLAM, SHEH HECHE-YANOO, V’KIYEMANOO V’HEEGUEEYANOO LA-ZEMAN HAZEH.

The 1st night (on Shabbat): Say blessing #1, #2 & #3, then light.

The 2nd night: Do havadalah and then blessing #1, then #2, then light.

The 3rd-8th nights: Say blessing #1, then #2, then light.

• On the 1st night, put the candle to the right-most position in the menorah.
• On the 2nd  night, put the two candles to the right-most position in the menorah, however light the left-most candle first (the newest one).
• On the 3rd night, put the three candles to the right-most position in the menorah, however light the left-most candle first (the newest one).
• On the 4th night…
• It is good to stay for 30 minutes by the candles, sing some songs, eat some donuts and enjoy the light of Chanukah. Remember, this light is, amongst other things, the symbol of Hashem helping us in all our life’s endeavors. Even though we were few, He helped us win a war against the Greeks who were trying to destroy all things Jewish. Think about what He has done for you lately. Happy Holy day!

SHABBAT

• The man of the house first lights the Chanukah candles and then woman of the house lights the Shabbat candles.