Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous holiday celebrated by Jewish people around the world. One of the central aspects of this festival is the lighting of the Chanukah candles. In this article, we will explore the significance of lighting the candles and answer some common questions about the practice.

Who Must Light?

Every Jewish person, regardless of their socioeconomic situation, is obligated to light Chanukah candles. Even those who rely on charity should make an effort to obtain the necessary resources to fulfill this mitzvah. However, it is important to exercise moderation in collecting funds, ensuring that only what is necessary to light one candle per night is collected. It is worth noting that in modern times, as candles and oils are more affordable, even individuals in need may choose to light additional candles if they are able to do so.

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Do Women Light?

The practice regarding whether women who live with men should light their own candles varies. In general, a wife does not light if her husband will be lighting at home. However, in Israel, where Chanukah lights are kindled outside, unmarried girls do not light. In places where Chanukah lights are kindled indoors, it is common for girls to also light. From a legal perspective, it is preferable for women and girls to participate in the lighting, as they were an integral part of the miracle.

How Many Candles to Light

Ideally, each person should light their own candles and not rely on someone else's lighting to fulfill their obligation. The most preferable method is to add an additional candle each night, starting with one on the first night and ending with eight on the last night.

In the Sephardic tradition, if the candles are kindled in the most preferable manner, known as "mehadrin min hamehadrin," only one set of lights should be kindled per household. This ensures clarity in counting the number of lights. In the Ashkenazic tradition, multiple sets of lights are kindled, but care must be taken to differentiate between them.

For the first night or two, it is permissible for two people to light using the same menorah, as there will still be a distinct difference between the two sets of lights. However, this should not be done in the later nights of Chanukah.

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The Fuel and Wicks

Any type of fuel and wicks can be used for Chanukah lights. However, it is preferable to use a fuel and wicks that burn nicely. Olive oil is especially preferred, as it serves as a reminder of the Chanukah miracle. Some even try to use virgin olive oil with a low acidity level, similar to the oil used in the Temple.

It is important not to light the candles in a vessel that will become black and smoky, such as clay or uncoated ceramic. If this happens, the vessel should not be used again.

Wicks can be reused as long as they still light and burn well. After they have been used for a mitzvah, some people choose to burn them rather than discard them. Others save the wicks to be burned with the chometz before Pesach, using them for another mitzvah.

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Where to Light

The location for kindling the Chanukah lights has been a subject of debate for centuries. There are two key elements to consider: the lights must be visible to others, even if nobody else ends up seeing them, and they must appear to belong to the one who lit them.

Different opinions exist regarding the specific location. Some suggest lighting at the entrance to the courtyard or door of the house, while others recommend a porch or balcony that overlooks the street. In apartment buildings, the rules depend on the height and layout of the building.

Regardless of the location, the lights should be visible to others and clearly belong to the one who lit them. If there are multiple doors in a residence, each door gives the impression of a separate dwelling, and lights should be kindled near each entrance.

Setting Up and Lighting the Menorah

When setting up the menorah, the first night's light should be placed on the rightmost spot, with each succeeding night adding a light to its left. When lighting the candles, begin with the leftmost light, which will always be the newest one. It is essential to follow one's custom and practice when it comes to setting up and lighting the menorah.

On the first night, three blessings are recited before lighting the menorah: one for the mitzvah of lighting, one for the miracle, and one for reaching this occasion. From the second night onward, only the first two blessings are recited before lighting.

If one forgets to recite the blessing for reaching this occasion (shehechiyanu), or if they somehow miss lighting on the first night, they should recite the blessing when lighting for the first time afterward. If one cannot light and will not have someone else light on their behalf, they should recite the blessing for the miracle (she'asah nisim) if they see someone else's menorah. On the first night, they should also recite the blessing for reaching this occasion (shehechiyanu).

After lighting the Chanukah candles, it is customary to recite the paragraph of haneiros halalu ("These lights...").

When to Light

Chanukah candles should be kindled at nightfall, when the stars appear. Some opinions suggest lighting at sunset (shkiya). To accommodate all opinions, many authorities have calculated intermediate times for lighting.

It is recommended to light Chanukah candles within half an hour of nightfall. In earlier generations, the streets were typically empty by this time. However, in modern times, when there is usually traffic outside until much later, there is flexibility to light later if needed.

If lighting inside, one may light as long as someone is present to see the candles, and it is still nighttime.

Placing the Menorah

Candles must be lit in a place where they can remain throughout the required burning time. Moving the Chanukah candles after lighting them is equivalent to extinguishing them, so they must be placed in their intended location from the start. It is not even permissible to pick up and hold the Chanukah lights in place.

The menorah should be lit in a way that allows it to stay lit for the entire required time. If a candle goes out before half an hour, it does not need to be re-lit if it was initially lit in a way that should have allowed it to last. However, if it was not likely to last, such as in a windy location, it should be re-lit. In such cases, the blessing should also be repeated if there was an interruption between the initial blessing and re-lighting.

Some individuals are careful to re-light candles that go out within half an hour, even if not obligated to do so. Adding more oil later to extend the burning time is unnecessary as the act of lighting is the mitzvah itself.

The Shamash

To avoid deriving benefit from the Chanukah candles, it is forbidden to light one candle from another. Therefore, an extra candle called a shamash is lit and used to kindle the other candles. Each menorah should have its own shamash, and the shamash should be lit separately from the other candles. Even in well-lit areas, it is customary to light a shamash.

Other Considerations

Children of educational age should light their own Chanukah candles. Those whose jobs prevent them from lighting at the appropriate time can light when they return home.

If a single girl comes from a home where girls do not light, she should not light even if she is away from home. Instead, she should join someone else's lighting. Ideally, this should be where she is staying, but fulfilling the obligation can also be achieved by joining someone she is visiting.

Remember, these guidelines are adapted from Rabbi Y. Dov Krakowski's "Hilchos U'minhagei Chanuka." Celebrate this beautiful festival of lights with joy and unity, and may the miracle of Chanukah continue to inspire us all.