Chanukah: Lighting the Candles

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Listen to and learn the Chanukah blessings as sung by Cantor Lori Corrsin: Audio Player Version MP3 File (Right click to save) Download a print version of the Chanukah blessings. Click here for more family Chanukah activities.

lace the candles in the menorah from right to left, one for each day of the festival (for example, on the third night you should have three candles). After reciting the blessings below, light the candles from left to right.

BLESSING 1:

Ba-rukh a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu
Meh-lekh ha-o-lam, a-sher ki-d’sha-nu b’mitz-vo-tav v’tzi-va-nu l’had-leek neir shel Chanukah.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe. You hallow us with Your Commandments and command us to kindle the Chanukah lights.

BLESSING 2:

Ba-rukh a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu
Meh-lekh ha-o-lam, sheh-a-sa nee-seem
la’a-vo-tei-nu ba-ya-meem ha-heim
ba-z’man ha-zeh.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe. You showed
wonders to our ancestors in days of old and at this season.

BLESSING 3 (RECITED ON THE FIRST NIGHT ONLY):

Ba-rukh a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu
Meh-lekh ha-o-lam,
she-heh-kheh-ya-nu v’kee-yeh-mah-nu
v’hee-gee-ah-nu lah-z’mahn ha-zeh.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us and for enabling us to reach this season.

BLESSING 4:
MAOZ TZUR — ROCK OF AGES (SUNG AFTER LIGHTING THE CANDLES)

Ma-oaz tzur y’shu-ah-tee l’khah na-eh l’sha-bei-akh, Tee-kone beit t’fee-lah-tee v’shahm toe-dah n’zah-bei-akh, L’eit tah-kheen maht-bei-akh mee-tzahr hahm-nah-bei-akh, ahz ehg-more b’sheer meez-more kha-nu-kaht hah-meez-bei-akh. Rock of Ages, let our song Praise Thy saving power; Thou, amidst the raging foes, Wast our sheltering tower. Furious, they assailed us, But Thine arm availed us, And Thy word Broke their sword When our own strength failed us.

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