Which blessings are said when lighting the Hanukkah candles?

Question: How many blessings are said on the first night of Hanukkah, and what is done after the lighting?

Answer:

On the first night three blessings are said:

1. Lehadlik ner Hanukkah: for performing the mitzvah of lighting.

2. She’asah nissim la’avoteinu: thanking Hashem for the miracles He performed for the Jewish people.

3. Shehecheyanu: thanking Him for allowing us to reach this time.

On the other nights only the first two blessings are said.

The Ben Ish Chai gives a mnemonic for remembering the blessings using the initials SheLoSh-H:

- Sh: She’asah nissim

- L: Lehadlik

- Sh: Shehecheyanu

- H: Haneirot halalu

After lighting the first candle, the text of “Haneirot halalu” is said.

The Ben Ish Chai emphasizes the version of 36 words, matching the number of mitzvah candles lit over the eight days of Hanukkah, not counting the shamash.

Who should take part in the lighting?

According to the Ben Ish Chai, it is proper for the wife and children to stand next to the person lighting during the blessings and the lighting of all the candles.