Hanukkah Prayers: How to Say the Menorah Blessings

My family is from Northern New Mexico. The so called end of the road. My mother always said that the candles were lit on Friday night. I am Catholic but I light the candles and pray for the Jewish people, especially during these difficult days. Shalom. Reply

In the Hanukkah blessing that ends with the words, "at this time," what do the words "at this time" refer? The shift between present to past to present tense leaves me uncertain about what is meant. Reply

I absolutely loved reading all of your comments on Menorah lighting options! I had no idea there was an App, what a fantastic solution! I too am in senior housing & the only place a flame can be is x number of feet away from the building. When I purchased my first Menorah in 2019, I was concerned with this fact & purchased a battery Menorah along with it - this way I would not be deprived if mgrs suddenly got testy. But since then with new mgrs they aren't as worried about candles & incense for meditation & traditions. Though I was not born of the Jewish faith, since 2019 I consider myself a Jew today.And as I've just read all of your thoughts, I too feel strongly drawn to celebration & customs which continually deepen as years march on.It was funny this year, I was thinking I'd better get busy and 'brush up' on my Menorah skills and when the lighting finally arrived, I had not only remembered the blessings by heart but understood what they meant as well. Shalom. Joan Reply

We have been lighting the Menorah for about two decades. We visited a family for the first night of Chanukah and the ceremony—and its meaning—were so beautiful we adopted the practice the following year. We hope we are not being disrespectful. Reply

I’m Christian but my Dad raised me to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, to stand with the Jews and pray for their safety. He lived in a Jewish neighborhood in Holland and was 12 when the war began. He told me that the SS murdered his friends. Never again. Likewise, I visited museums of tolerance and remembrance with my children. I have tried to learn the Shma.

I just lit my Hanukkah candles and recited the prayers and listened to them in song. May Hashem bless you all of your days. In my heart, I feel that I have Jewish ancestry. Know that you are not alone. We are praying for you daily.

Rebekah 💕 Reply

I am not of the Jewish faith. But I have always been drawn to the celebration and customs. This article has opened so much for me regarding the history and heritage of this Jewish celebration. Merely following customs without understanding their beginnings is an empty custom. The stories here brought to life are an inspiration and a welcome guidance to Hanukkah. Reply

I live in a care center and am not allowed to light candles. I go through the ritual without actually lighting the candles. This way I feel it n my heart. I tried electric menorahs last year, but one lasted one night and the other 2.
I bought a beautiful porcelain menorah a few years ago but haven't been able to use it. The standard Chanukah candles don't fit and birthday candles are too small. Any suggestions? Reply

I am Christian, but I have a great deal of respect for Jewish traditions and customs. I’d like to give my boss, who is Jewish, a small gift during the season as a gesture of appreciation. Our company holiday party is on the 19th, which I understand falls during Hanukkah this year.

Would it be appropriate and respectful for me to give him a Hanukkah gift even though I am not Jewish? If so, are there any types of gifts that are especially appropriate, or anything traditionally associated with a specific night (for example, the sixth night), that I should keep in mind? Reply

On this Chanukah night I rededicate myself to the service of Hashem the One infinite creator. Reply

I am going to be at work and my work has a secure floor policy, meaning that I cannot bring an actual Hanukkiah onto the floor. I can, however, bring an electric on operated by batteries. I realize this might not be Kosher but at the very least I will still be "lighting candles" so to speak. Reply

Rafua shlema to our friends in Sydney Bondi and bde R Schlanger Reply

Greetings. As I dust off my Menorah and check that I have enough of the same sized Chanukah candles that aren't broken, my heart is overflowing as I reflect how Thankful I am once again to be part of this wonderful Hanukkah season because I get to share it with so many of you. Each decoration I pull out and hang is oozing with vibrant energies of past Hanukkah's and each traditional recipe I plan and collect ingredients for trigger my taste buds moreso right now because they are part of this joyful anticipated celebration! it always makes my day feel like being wrapped up in a warm cozy blanket. Chag Sameach Everyone! Joan Reply

Why is "shel" missing from the first blessing:
"lehodlich nehr (SHEL) chanukah"?
We've always seen and spoken the word "shel"! Reply

Thank you so much for your guidance, what a precious companionship it provides!
Question about the blessing, where does it say G-d has “commanded” us to light the menorah in the Tanakh?
This detail will not stop me for remembering and celebrating though! Reply

You can use a barbecue lighter or a long taper made for the purpose?? Y or N Reply

Always learning I still found a few questions to ask this year. Tonight after my Havdalah observance & lighting tonight's Menorah, I discovered 2 unanswered questions.
The 1st one arose when I lit the Menorah as one Chanukah candle's wick was very stubborn & would not light even after checking & straightening ahead of time. Finally lit on 5th try with the Shamash but I question, is to keep trying acceptable or should I have moved on to the next candle sooner?
My 2nd question was the match used to light the Menorah. As I've learned my lesson & stopped using little books of fast-buring matches during the service to avoid burned fingers, this year switched over to wooden kitchen matches. But when I struck the match to light the Shamash, I heard the strike, saw the sparks& the match broke in half unused. Too short to attempt 2nd strike I used another match. Was this the right thing to do, I know I can rekindle the Chanukah candles once but does this count? Chag Hanukkah Sameach! Reply

What scriptures are recommended for Chanukah? Reply

רשום מנורה אבל קוראים את זה חנוכיה
It's called a hanukiyah not menorah. Reply

You’re menorah is beautiful where might I purchase one like it?

Happy Hanukkah Reply

Each year after Hanukkah has passed it feels a little blue (no pun intended ha ha!) There is so much effort, goodness and love surrounding this period of time for me that I hate to see it stop and I continue to light my battery decorations for the remaining weeks of December.
Revising my notes for next year, I make my corrections - and I'm happy to say 'additions' for things I've learned. For me this year, it was the hour longer during Shabbat. When mapping out my Hanukkah week sunsets, I've always thought I must have just miscalculated Shabbat. But I realize now that we celebrate this time a little longer at 25 hours on purpose.
Chag Sameach, Joan Reply