This year, on Wednesday night, December 25th, corresponding to the 25th of Kislev, 5785, we will light the first candle of Hanukka.
The celebration of Hanukka lasts for eight consecutive days.
BLESSINGS
The father or head of the household recites the following three blessings before lighting the first candle. On the following nights, only the first and second blessings are recited.
First Blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ–לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר (שֶׁל) חֲנוּכָּה
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukka candle.”
Second Blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ–לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ, בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days, at this time.”
Third Blessing (Recited on the First Night Only)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ–לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has allowed us to be alive and present at this moment.”
After lighting the candles, we recite Hanerot Halalu.
הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַדְלִיקִים, עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הָפּוּרְקָן וְעַל הָגְּבוּרוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת וְעַל הַנֶחָמוֹת, שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְמַן הַזֶּה, עַל יְדֵי כֹּהֲנֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִים
וְכָל שְמוֹנַת יְמֵי הָחֲנֻכָּה, הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ קֹדֶשׁ הֵם, וְאֵין לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֵם, אֶלָּא לִרְאוֹתָם בִּלְבָד, כְּדֵי לְהוֹדוֹת לִשְמֶךָ, עַל נִסֶּיךָ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְעַל יְשׁוּעוֹתֶיךָ׃
Here is the translation:
“We light these candles to commemorate the miracles, deliverance, mighty deeds, salvation, and wonders that You performed for our fathers in those days at this time of year, through Your holy priests. During all eight days of Hanukka, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to derive benefit from them. We may only look at them to express gratitude and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, wonders, and acts of salvation.”
At the end, we recite: Mizmor Shir Hanukkat haBayit leDavid… (Psalm 30).
