How to Light the Chanukah Candles

Chanukah is an 8-day period during which the spiritual energy of miracles, known as Or HaGanuz, is released into the universe. By lighting candles while using kabbalistic meditations and embracing the consciousness of sharing, we connect our souls to the Or HaGanuz and plant the seed for miracles – big and small – to fill our entire year to come.

Consciousness of Oil:

The miracle of Chanukah refers to a single vial of oil that burned for the eight days of Chanukah during the time of the Second Temple. In a spiritual sense, oil represents Chochmah, or knowledge.

Lighting the Chanukah Candles:

The act of physically lighting the candles helps us draw down the Light of Or HaGanuz, or ‘unlimited Light’. This great spiritual energy actually flows out of the physical flames of the candelabra. In order to absorb this awesome Light we stay near the flames for at least half an hour. When lighting, our consciousness should be one of certainty and happiness.

The Ari gives us the following instructions on how to light the Chanukiah (Chanukah menorah):

1. The Chanukiah should be placed on the right side of the house entrance, from within thehouse, while the Mezuzah is on our left.

2. The Chanukiah should be at least 30 centimeters above the floor and lower than the bottom of the hand of the person lighting it.

3. The Shamash’s (server) place is not significant, as long as it is separated from all the other candles, and it must be higher than them.

4. The Chanukiah should be lit after sunset, except on Friday night when it should be lit prior to sunset (see #7).

5. On the first night, we place the first candle at the furthest point from the opening of the house (to our right). During the following nights we add one candle each evening on the left side of the previous one. We first light the candle that we added that night, and then the candle to its right, meaning we add the candles from right to left, and we light them from left to right.

6. The candles should last for at least 30 minutes. It is good to sit near the Chanukiah during that time.

7. On Friday night, we light both the Chanukah and Shabbat candles. Light the Chanukiah before lighting Shabbat candles, ensuring the Chanukiah remains lit until at least 30 minutes after nightfall.

One of Rav Berg’s most fundamental teachings is “knowledge makes the connection.”

Below is the consciousness behind each of the candle lighting to-do’s previously mentioned, as well as some additional information. Understanding and consciously connecting to the intention behind a physical action is what enables us to reveal light through that action.

The Kabbalists explain that our focus in connecting to the Chanukah candles is to draw their metaphysical, spiritual light rather than the physical light they create. For example, if we consciously use the candles to light up a dark room, we diminish the metaphysical energy they can produce, as our focus is on the physical. Therefore, the Kabbalists designate the Shamash candle to serve the unique function of manifesting physical light, so the rest of the candles can be designated as tools for generating spiritual light. The Shamash’s (server) place is not significant, as long as it is separated from all the other candles, and it must be higher than them.

Further, kabbalist Rav Berg explains that the ideal time to light is when it’s dark outside, in the darkest time of the year (longest nights) so that when we light, we light up the darkness. By going to the darkest place and injecting light, we infuse mercy into the space of judgment, and thus, create more balance in the cosmos. Two ancient Kabbalists, Shammai and Hillel differ in their recommendations for the order to follow in candle lighting. Shammai recommends lighting eight candles the first night, then gradually decreasing the number of candles lit each night. Hillel recommends the reverse. We follow Hillel’s recommendation, with the consciousness that light gradually increases in relation to the increase in our acts of sharing (in this case, the physical lighting of the candles).

Also, placing the candles furthest from the entrance of the house and working our way towards theentrance each night is symbolic of our process building & expanding our vessel (desire) to receive the totality of Light Chanukah has to offer. As we add candles each night, we increase the amount of Light we desire and are open to welcoming into our homes. Additionally, to keep in mind, adding candles is a process connected to direct light (light in a state of potential, unrevealed), while lighting candles connects to returning light (manifested, revealed light). Each day as we add and light more candles, we maintain a balance between direct and returning light, as both are necessary for a circuitry to exist between our physical and spiritual worlds.

Similar to when we scan or read Zohar, The Kabbalists explain that the metaphysical light revealed by the candles does not enter the soul immediately due to the klippot (metaphysical shells covering our soul). It takes a minimum of 30 minutes for the light to penetrate directly. Which is why we recommend sitting near the candles after they are lit each evening.