To listen to the audio files of these blessings, click on one of the links in the boxes below. Depending on your connection, they may download slowly, so be patient!
Blessings before lighting the Hanukkah menorah:
The candles are placed in the menorah from (the lighter’s) right to left, then lit from left to right.
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik neir shel chanukah.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctifies us with the commandments and commands us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.)
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-asah nisim la-avoteinu bayamim haheim baz'man hazeh.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors during this season long ago.)
The blessing of ‘shehecheyanu’ is added on the first night:
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi-anu laz'man hazeh.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this joyous time.)
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An additional candle is kindled each night.
After the lights are kindled, the following is sung:
Ma-oz tzur y'shu-ati l'cha na-eh l'shabei-ach,
tikon beit t'filati v'sham todah n'zabei-ach,
l'eit tachin matbei-ach mitzar hamnabei-ach,
az egmor b'shir mizmor chanukat hamizbei-ach.
az egmor b'shir mizmor chanukat hamizbei-ach.
English verse (not a translation):
Rock of Ages let our song praise Your saving power.
You, amidst the raging foes, were our shelt’ring tower.
Furious they assailed us, but Your arm availed us.
And Your word broke their sword when our own strength failed us.
And Your word broke their sword when our own strength failed us.
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