How to Celebrate Hanukkah: What to Say, What to Sing, Night by Night

Every year, the same questions come up. Which blessing comes first? Do we sing before or after lighting? What changes after the first night of Hanukkah?

Good news: lighting the Hanukkah candles is simple once you know the flow.

This short guide walks you through exactly what to do each night of Hanukkah, step by step, without overthinking it.

Before Lighting the Hanukkah Candles

Before you say any blessings, set up your hanukkiah and place it somewhere visible, ideally by a window or doorway. Make sure the candles or oil will burn for at least 30 minutes.

Now pause. Lighting comes after the blessings.

The Hanukkah Blessings (Said Before Lighting)

The First Night of Hanukkah

On the first night, you say three blessings:

1. Lehadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah,

2. Sheasa Nissim, and

3. Shehecheyanu.

The first blessing is for the commandment to light the Hanukkah candle.

The second thanks God for the miracles performed in those days, at this time.

The third thanks God for reaching this moment.

After the blessings, you light the candles.

Nights Two Through Eight

From the second night on, you say two blessings only:

1. Lehadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah and

2. Sheasa Nissim.

The Shehecheyanu is said only on the first night.

Then you light.

How to Light the Hanukkah Candles

Each night follows the same rule. Add one new candle. Light the newest candle first. Move from left to right.

Yes, it feels backward. No, it is not negotiable.

Now We Sing

Immediately After Lighting: Hanerot Halalu

As soon as the candles are lit, we sing Hanerot Halalu. This song explains the meaning of the Hanukkah lights. They are holy. We do not use them. We only look at them and remember the miracle.

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ziQ0fjdIfg

Then We Sing: Maos Tzur

After Hanerot Halalu, we sing Maos Tzur.

• Traditional version:https://youtu.be/hTb_a4QGSSw?si=JKHfHJeOtOimbP2x

• More joyful, uplifting version:https://youtu.be/8IY_rKEOlLo?si=kVnV2psrrbbzNwaO

Same song. Different energy. Both count.

After the Songs

Just Sit

For at least 30 minutes, do not use the candles. Do not rush. Just sit and look.

This is not background lighting. This is memory, identity, and resilience, in flame form.

Latkes can wait. This is still part of the mitzvah. The pause matters.

And Then Comes the Food

Only after sitting for 30 minutes does the food come out. Fried food, usually. Latkes, sufganiyot, or whatever your family calls tradition.

Quick Hanukkah Lighting Summary

• Blessings come before lighting.

• The first night has three blessings.

• The other nights have two.

• After lighting, we sing Hanerot Halalu, then Maos Tzur.

• After that, we are present.

• Then we eat oily food.

• Eight nights. Same order. More light every time.

Happy Hanukkah 🕯️