Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods.
Q. When should Hanukkah candles be lit?
One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, and an additional candle is lit on each successive night, until, on the eighth night, the Chanukiah is fully illuminated. Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights due to the importance of the candle-lighting.
Q. In what order do you light the Hanukkah candles?
A: Yes, there actually is a correct order. The candles should be placed from right to left. On the first night, there should be one candle on the far right of the chanukiah, plus the shamash. On the second night, there should be two candles on the right, plus the shamash, and so on.
Q. How many candles get lit with the servant?
Hanukkah’s main ritual is the lighting of a menorah, a candelabra with nine candleholders, lit during the eight nights of the holiday. On the first night two candles are lit: the shamash, “servant,” which is used to light the other candle. On the second night, three candles are lit: the shamash and two others.
Q. Do you get a present every day of Hanukkah?
Traditionally, gifts were not a part of Hanukkah. Instead gelt — a small amount of money or chocolate coins — was given to children. However, some parents now include gift giving in their Hanukkah festivities.
Q. What happens on the second night of Hanukkah?
On every subsequent night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is added to the menorah directly to the left of the previous night’s candle. Although candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, they’re lit from left to right, the same direction that Hebrew is read.
