How to Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)

Transform your home for the festival of lights and recall God's miracles

Hanukkah, also known as the "festival of lights," is a Jewish winter holiday that commemorates a miracle that happened many centuries ago. The name "festival of lights" refers to the tradition of lighting candles in a menorah with nine branches every night of this joyous 8-day celebration. Whether you're Jewish or non-Jewish, anyone can appreciate and celebrate the message of Hanukkah! Keep reading for ideas on how to keep Hanukkah and make it special in your home and your community.

The Best Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah

• Light the menorah.
• Say the menorah blessings after lighting.
• Sing the Hanerot Halalu hymn.
• Decorate your home for Hanukkah.
• Tell the story of the Hanukkah miracle.
• Play dreidel.

Steps

Light the menorah.

1. Light the shamash first, then use it to light the other candles on all 8 nights. On the first night of Hanukkah, put two candles in your menorah, or hanukkiah: one to act as the helper candle, or shamash, and one to represent the first night. Every night after that, add an additional candle. By the eighth and last night of the holiday, your hanukkiah should be full of candles.^[1]
   
   • Arrange the candles from right to left, but light them from left to right.
   • Light the candles at or after sunset, and let them burn for at least 30 minutes. If possible, allow them to burn out on their own.
   • Use new candles every night. Don't reuse candles that you've already lit.
   • Place the menorah in a window at the front of your home, if possible. It's even better if you can position it on the right side of the door, opposite the mezuzah on the left side (if you have one).

Recite the menorah blessings.

1. Say the menorah blessings after lighting it. You only need to recite the blessings if you’re the one lighting the menorah. On the first night, there are three blessings you’ll say to thank God for the Hanukkah miracles. On each of the remaining nights of Hanukkah, you only need to recite the first 2 blessings.^[2]
   
   • First blessing: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. (Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.)
   • Second blessing: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh. (Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.)
   • Third blessing: Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh. (Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)

Sing the Hanerot Halalu hymn.

1. The Hanerot Halalu hymn praises God for the miracles of Hanukkah. It's a tradition to say it each night of Hanukkah. If you’re the one lighting the menorah, then you’ll recite the hymn in Hebrew. Say or sing the following:^[3]
   
   • Hebrew: Hanerot halalu anachnu madlikin, Al hanissim ve'al haniflaot, Al hatshu-ot ve'al hamilchamot, She-asita la'avoteynu, Bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh, Al yedey kohanecha hak'doshim. Vechol shmonat yemey Chanukah, Hanerot halalu kodesh hem, Ve-ein lanu reshut lehishtamesh bahem, Ela lirotam bilvad, Kedai lehodot lihalel, Al nissecha veal nifleotecha, ve-al yeshuotecha.
   • English translation: We kindle these lights to commemorate the saving acts, miracles, and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy priests. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders, and for Your salvations.

Decorate your home for Hanukkah.

1. Put up lights and set out Hanukkah-themed decor. Get into the spirit of the festival of lights by hanging string lights inside or outside your home. Plug in an electric hanukkiah for ambience (just don't use it in place of lighting real Hanukkah candles). To make your home look more colorful and festive, hang blue or silver streamers, make paper snowflakes and paste them to your windows, and set out Hanukkah-themed decorations. These might include food platters, throw pillows, and dish towels with dreidels or hanukkiahs on them.
   

Tell the story of Hanukkah.

1. Share the story of the miracle of the temple oil burning for 8 days. As you sit near your menorah and watch it glow, it may be the perfect time to explain the importance of this holiday to your children or anyone who isn’t familiar. Below is a brief overview of the miracle that started this festive tradition.^[4]
   
   • In the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE, a group of Jews called the Maccabees revolted against their Greek rulers in Judea and regained control of their holy temple.
   • When the Jews cleaned the temple and were about to start the time-honored ritual of lighting the menorah, they found they only had enough oil to burn for one day.
   • Miraculously, the oil burned for 8 days, which was just enough time for the Jews to make more. They took this miracle as a blessing from God and a sign that He wanted them to be victorious.

Recite the Al Hanisim liturgy.

1. Say it during daily prayers and grace after meals to give thanks. Whenever you pray your silent daily prayers or say grace after a meal, say, "Al hanissim, v’al hapurkan, v’al hag’vurot v’al hat’tshuot v’al hamilchamot sh’asita lavoteinu bayamim hahem baz’man hazeh." This translates to, "We thank thee also for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds and saving acts, wrought by thee, as well as for the wars which thou didst wage for our fathers in days of old, at this season."^[5]
   
   • This special prayer thanks God for His miracles.

Play dreidel.

1. Spin a dreidel to win candy or coins. Gather as many players as you want and give everyone an equal number of game pieces, such as chocolate gelt, pennies, candies, or nuts. At the start of the game, have everyone put one of their items in the middle to form the pot. Take turns spinning the dreidel and wait until it falls over. Read the symbol on the face-up side and take the following actions:^[6]
   
   • If you spin nun (נ), then you don’t take anything from the pot.
   • If the dreidel lands on gimel (ג), then you get everything in the pot.
   • If you get hey (ה), then you take half of the pieces from the pot.
   • When you land on shin (ש), then you need to add a piece to the pot.
   • If you run out of pieces, then you’re out of the game.
   • The person who ends the game with all the pieces in the pot is the winner!

Exchange gifts with friends and family.

1. Give small gifts to mark the occasion, but only if you want to. Gift giving isn't an ancient Hanukkah tradition, but a more modern one that mimics the Christmas pastime. If you want to give your friends and family small gifts, choose any night of Hanukkah you want and pass them out after lighting the menorah.
   
   • Tip: Make giving gifts more exciting by spreading it out across all 8 nights. For example, one person in your household can give everyone the gifts they bought them the first night, another the second night, and so on.

Give gelt to children.

1. Handing out gelt to children at Hanukkah teaches them about charity. Gelt is a Yiddish word meaning "money," and it can refer either to real coins or chocolate ones wrapped in gold foil. Chocolate coins are a fun, tasty gift, but when you give the children in your household real money, encourage them to donate some of it. This will teach them the importance of charity.^[7]
   
   • Hand out a larger amount of gelt on the fourth or fifth night of Hanukkah, since it’s tradition.

Make potato latkes.

1. Potato pancakes fried in oil are a traditional Hanukkah treat. To make latkes, grate 5 potatoes and 1 onion. Put the gratings in a paper towel or a cheesecloth, and squeeze out any excess water. Combine the potato and onion mixture with 3 eggs, ⅓ cup (43 g) of flour, 1 tsp (6 g) of salt, and ¼ tsp (0.6 g) of pepper. Heat of oil in a skillet and pour some of the mixture into the pan. Cook each side of your latke for 5 minutes or until it’s golden brown.^[8]
   
   • This recipe makes 4–6 servings.
   • Top your latkes with store-bought or homemade applesauce for a delicious (and traditional) sweet and savory combo.

Make sweet sufganiyot.

1. Jam-filled doughnuts coated in powdered sugar are the perfect dessert. Make a yeast mixture by combining 2 tbsp (29.6 mL) of warm milk, 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar, and a packet of dry active yeast. Next, combine 3 c (360 g) of flour with 1 tsp (6 g) of salt, then add the yeast mixture, 2 eggs, and 2 tbsp (28 g) of butter. Mix until the ingredients meld into a crumbly dough. Knead the dough until smooth, then let it rise for 2 hours before rolling it out to ½ in (1.3 cm) thickness. Separate the dough into 3-4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) balls and let them rise until they double in size. Then fry each doughnut for 1-2 minutes per side.^[9]
   
   • Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle to put the jelly inside each doughnut once they’re cool.
   • Coat the doughnuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon for additional sweet flavors.

Donate to charity.

1. Share the light of Hanukkah by giving to those in need. If you already give charity, or tzedakah, give a little extra each day during the holiday. This is one of the best ways to show God how much you appreciate His blessings and to share those blessings with others.^[10]
   
   • It’s okay not to give more if you’re not financially able to!
   • Instead of (or in addition to) giving money, do mitzvot (good deeds), like volunteering at a food bank or donating clothes and shoes you don't need anymore.

Read special Torah scriptures.

1. During Hanukkah, it's customary to read from Numbers 6:22-8:4. These chapters describe the dedication of the tabernacle, or the mishkan, which the Israelites used instead of a temple to worship God during their desert exile. Read them on your own or at your local synagogue in addition to the regular weekly Torah portion. You can also read the haftarah read specifically at Hanukkah. Haftarah are scriptures from the books of the prophets in the Bible, which are always read after the weekly Torah portion. The Hanukkah haftarah are Zechariah 4:1-7 and I Kings 7:40-50.^[11]
   

Attend a public menorah lighting.

1. Look online or ask your local synagogues about public menorah lightings. Usually, whoever is organizing the lighting ceremony will light a giant menorah so it’s easy for everyone to see. Afterward, attendees typically recite blessings, sing hymns, and enjoy food with one another to spread the holiday cheer.^[12]
   
   • You can find a list of Hanukkah events here.

Video

Tips

• Don't forget that Hanukkah is a time for fun and enjoyment, so spend time with your friends and family to celebrate.
• Hanukkah can be spelled a number of ways, including Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, and Hannukah. All are correct, as the word is a transliteration of a word in Hebrew.
• Always watch lighted candles carefully. Do not place the hanukkiah on a ledge, near the edge of a surface, or near anything that might catch on fire. Be sure that small children, long hair, and loose clothing stay away from the flames.

Related wikiHows

• Light a Chanukah Menorah
• Blow a Shofar
• Convert to Judaism

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/103868/jewish/How-to-Light-the-Menorah.htm
2. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/103868/jewish/How-to-Light-the-Menorah.htm
3. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/600994/jewish/Haneirot-Halalu.htm
4. ↑ https://www.jewishhistory.org/the-miracle-of-chanukah/
5. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/al-hanisim-concerning-the-miracles/
6. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-play-dreidel/
7. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/597165/jewish/Chanukah-Gelt.htm
8. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/recipes/recipe_cdo/aid/103032/jewish/What-Are-Latkes-Plus-A-Simple-Potato-Latke-Recipe.htm
9. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/recipes/recipe_cdo/aid/3879370/jewish/Traditional-Sufganiyot-Jelly-Doughnuts.htm
10. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/603798/jewish/How-to-Celebrate-Chanukah.htm
11. ↑ https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah-customs-and-rituals
12. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/4575427/jewish/8-Old-and-New-Chanukah-Traditions.htm

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