Related reading: Printable Tu Bishvat Seder, PDF and Explanation and Taking the Lulav - Text, Meaning, Audio and Printable Guide.
The Hanukkah candle lighting order is the moment when the home pauses for a few minutes: prepare the menorah, candles or oil, light the shamash, recite the blessings, and add another light each night. To make that moment simple and clear, it helps to prepare a short printable sheet with the order of steps, a candle chart, a kids explanation and one small quiz question beside the menorah.
This page is written for families, teachers, group leaders and communities looking for an accessible candle lighting order before the holiday. It does not replace a siddur, community custom or halachic guidance. Before producing an official PDF with the full blessing text, vowels or God's name, the text should be reviewed for wording, nusach and licensing.
Hanukkah Candle Lighting Order in Short
- Prepare a stable menorah, candles or oil, wicks and a shamash.
- Check how many candles are lit that evening.
- Place the candles in the menorah according to the night of Hanukkah.
- Light the shamash.
- Recite the Hanukkah blessings before lighting the mitzvah candles.
- On the first night, or the first time lighting that year, add Shehecheyanu.
- Light the Hanukkah candles using the shamash.
- After lighting, place the shamash in its spot, sing or recite Hanukkah passages according to family custom, and stay near the candles for a short conversation.
What Should Be Prepared Before Lighting?
To keep the lighting calm, prepare everything a few minutes in advance:
| What to prepare | Why it matters | Printing note |
|---|---|---|
| Menorah | A stable holder for the candles | Place it safely |
| Candles or oil and wicks | The mitzvah lights for that night | Prepare according to the night |
| Shamash | Used to light the other candles | Not counted as a Hanukkah candle |
| Matches or lighter | Used to light the shamash | Keep away from children |
| Order and blessings sheet | So nothing needs to be searched for during lighting | Mark "first night only" clearly |
| A short pause | For a song, story or question | Turns lighting into a family moment |
How Many Candles Are Lit Each Night?
On Hanukkah, one additional candle is added each night. The shamash is not counted among the Hanukkah candles.
| Night of Hanukkah | Hanukkah candles | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| First | 1 | Shamash |
| Second | 2 | Shamash |
| Third | 3 | Shamash |
| Fourth | 4 | Shamash |
| Fifth | 5 | Shamash |
| Sixth | 6 | Shamash |
| Seventh | 7 | Shamash |
| Eighth | 8 | Shamash |
When Are the Blessings Said and When Are the Candles Lit?
The blessings are said before lighting the Hanukkah candles. In practice, the shamash is usually lit first, held or used for lighting, the blessings are recited, and then the Hanukkah candles themselves are lit.
On weekdays, lighting is in the evening according to household and community custom, around sunset or nightfall. On Friday afternoon, Hanukkah candles are lit before Shabbat candles, so they should be prepared to burn long enough. On Saturday night, lighting is done after Shabbat ends and Havdalah is made, according to local custom.
Printable Candle Lighting Sheet
A short PDF sheet can use the following structure:
Title
Hanukkah Candle Lighting Order
Before Lighting
- Prepare the menorah, candles or oil, and the shamash.
- Check how many candles are lit tonight.
- Place the candles in a safe location.
- Light the shamash.
The Blessings
- Recite the blessing for lighting the Hanukkah candle.
- Recite the blessing "Who made miracles."
- On the first night only, or the first time lighting that year, add Shehecheyanu.
Editorial note: In an official sheet, insert the site's approved blessing text here after review of vowels, God's name, community wording and licensing.
The Lighting
- Light the Hanukkah candles with the shamash.
- Place the shamash in its designated spot.
- Stay near the candles for a song, story or family question.
Hanukkah Lighting Order for Kids
You can explain it to children this way:
Every night of Hanukkah we add one more candle. Before we light, we pause, bless and say thank you for the mitzvah and for the miracles. Then we light the candles and watch the light grow from day to day.
Short activity beside the menorah:
- One child counts how many Hanukkah candles are lit tonight.
- Another child points to the shamash and explains why it is not counted.
- After lighting, each person says one word the light reminds them of: thanks, courage, family, miracle, Jerusalem or hope.
Hanukkah Quiz Idea
Create a short quiz round called "What Comes First?" Participants arrange the actions in the correct order.
Sample questions:
- What comes first: the blessings or lighting the Hanukkah candles?
- Is the shamash counted among the candles of the night?
- How many Hanukkah candles are lit on the fourth night, not including the shamash?
- Which blessing is added on the first night?
- On Friday afternoon, are Hanukkah candles lit before or after Shabbat candles?
- Why is it meaningful to stay near the candles for a few minutes after lighting?
Suggested CTA: Open a family Hanukkah quiz and add a "Lighting Order" round: count candles, identify the shamash and discover how one small action beside the menorah becomes living learning.
FAQ
Are the blessings said before or after lighting?
The blessings are said before lighting the Hanukkah candles. After the blessings, the candles are lit using the shamash.
How many blessings are said each night?
On every night, two main blessings are said: the blessing for lighting the Hanukkah candle and the blessing "Who made miracles." On the first night, or the first time lighting that year, Shehecheyanu is added.
Is the shamash counted as one of the Hanukkah candles?
No. The shamash is used to light the candles and for practical light, but it is not counted as part of that night's Hanukkah candles.
What if there is no proper menorah?
The core act is lighting Hanukkah candles safely and respectfully. If there is no menorah, consult reliable halachic guidance about an appropriate solution, and make sure the candles remain separate and clear.
Where should the menorah be placed?
The menorah is commonly placed where its light can be seen, while keeping full safety precautions. Details such as height, exact location and special circumstances depend on custom and halachic guidance.
What happens on Friday afternoon?
On Friday afternoon, Hanukkah candles are lit before Shabbat candles. The candles should be prepared to burn long enough after Shabbat begins, and local candle-lighting times should be checked.
What happens on Saturday night?
On Saturday night, lighting is done after Shabbat ends and Havdalah is made, according to local custom. If there is uncertainty about the exact order at home or in the community, check in advance.
Is this sheet suitable for children?
Yes. A children's sheet should be short and clear: what to prepare, the order of steps and one quiz question. Full vowelized blessing text should be reviewed before official distribution.