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Chanukah 5785 begins Wednesday evening, December 25 (Kislev 25), and concludes Thursday, January 2.
Where and Who?
One should place the Menorah near a window in a main room to publicize the miracle to the family and outsiders. Some light on the front door's left side (when facing the house).
The Menorah’s lights should ideally be between 10 and 37 inches (3-10 tefachim) above the ground. However, it is more important to light it prominently and by the window.
Amongst Ashkenazim, all men/boys or all members of the household light their own Menorah. Amongst Sefardim, the leader of the house lights for the entire household. Whoever lights the Menorah should make the blessings.
It is preferable to light the Chanukah candles at home, even if you are elsewhere at the beginning of the evening.
When?
One should ideally light as soon as possible after nightfall, which is 6:05 PM this year. Some Ashkenazim light 20 minutes after sunset, at 5:45 PM.
If needed, one may light and make the blessings as long as people are still awake in the house.
The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes. If you need to leave your home, it is permissible to blow out the candles after this time.
On Friday afternoon, the Chanukah candles should be lit immediately before the Shabbat candles (latest candle lighting is 5:04 PM). Since the lights must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall, one should use oil or candles that will burn for at least 1.5 hours.
On Motzei Shabbat, there are different customs regarding the order of Havdalah and lighting. In the absence of a custom, make Havdalah before lighting Menorah.
How?
It is preferable to use extra virgin or virgin olive oil, as these are cold-pressed, unrefined, edible, and similar to the oil used in the Beis Hamikdash (you can find ready-to-use oil candles at Amazon and Walmart). However, one can also fulfill the Mitzvah with any candles.
Any Menorah may be used as long as all the lights (other than the Shamash) are level.
The first candle should be placed on the far right of the Menorah, with new candles added to its left each subsequent night.
Light the candles from left to right, lighting the newest candle first.
Some (Ashkenazim) light the Shamash before making the blessings - particularly if it will be used to light the other candles, while others (Sefardim) only light the Shamash at the end. Regardless, the first candle lit after the blessings must be one of the Menorah itself (i.e. not the Shamash).
Before lighting on the first night, we recite three blessings:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה
Baruch atah Adon-ai E-loheinu melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel chanukah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adon-ai E-loheinu melech haolam, she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baz’man hazeh.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adon-ai E-loheinu melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higianu lazman hazeh.
On all subsequent nights, only the first two blessings are recited.
After reciting the blessings, the candles are lit. It is customary to sing the songs “Hanerot Hallalu” and “Maoz Tzur”. These can be found in the Siddur (Artscroll Pg. 782).
Questions? Email rabbi@dortikvah.org or call me at 843-410-5989.
Chanukah Same’ach! • !חנוכה שמח