Judaism 101
Judaism 101
Please note that this page contain the name of God.
If you print it out, please treat it with appropriate respect.If you do not have experience reading transliteration
please see the Guide to Transliteration.
Candles are normally lit after it is dark outside at night, to make them most visible. On Shabbat, however, they are lit shortly before the Shabbat candles. They are normally placed on the windowsill so they can be seen by people passing by, but you can put them in another location if this would not be safe for children or pets. The candles should be large enough to burn for at least half an hour. On Shabbat, however, the candles should be large enough to burn until at least a half an hour after dark, about 90 minutes after lighing before sunset.
One candle is added to the menorah each night. The first night, you light only the shammus (the one at a different height) and one Chanukah candle. By the eighth night, you light all of the candles.
Candles should be added to the menorah from right to left (like Hebrew
writing). See animation at right. The shammus candle is lit first. While
holding the shammus candle, recite the following blessings. They are usually
sung.
If you would like to hear the blessings sung, check out the MP3 recording on SiddurAudio.com. The recording is designed for educational purposes, and is chanted at a very moderate pace with very clear enunciation. Siddur Audio and its sister site, Haftorah Audio are great sources for learning the melodies of Jewish liturgy. (They are not associated with this website).
This is the same blessing that is recited every Shabbat and on many holidays. Only the name of the holiday changes.
Light the shammus candle first, then recite the blessings while holding the candle. Do not light the other candles until the blessings are done!
HEAR IT (not me and no connection to this site)
HEAR IT (not me and no connection to this site)
This blessing is recited only on the first night of Chanukah, as it is recited on the first night of all holidays. It is a standard blessing for the first time something happens in a long time, thanking God for allowing us to experience this thing again.
HEAR IT (not me and no connection to this site; I don't use this melody and I don't repeat it the way this video does, but it's fine and you can hear how it sounds)
After reciting the blessings, use the shammus to light the Chanukah candles from left to right (newest to oldest). See animation at top.
Candles should be left burning until they go out on their own. They must burn for more than half an hour. Standard Chanukah candles burn for about an hour.
Chanukkah
Play Dreidel
Common Prayers and Blessings
Prayers and Blessings
Jewish Liturgy