Hanukkah Brachot (Blessings)

Introduction:

These are the three blessings that we say as we light the Hanukkah candles (two blessings for all 8 nights and one for the first night only.) The Hanukkah candles may be lit on weeknights any time in the evening or after sundown, preferably near a window where its lights may be visible from the outside. On Shabbat, however, the Hanukkah candles must be lit before sundown and before the lighting of the Shabbat candles.

Sung by Chesney P., age 11

Lyrics:

Blessings for each night of Hanukkah:
The first blessing is one that we say before lighting candles for any festival. On Hanukkah, we say the word "Hanukkah" (instead of "Shabbat" or "Yom Tov") at the end of the blessing.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed are you our Lord our G-D, king of the Universe Who made us holy with His commandments And commanded us to light the candles of Hanukkah.

The second blessing recalls and praises G-d for the miracle of our freedom.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-asah nisim la-voteinu bayamim ha-heim baz’man hazeh.

Blessed are you our Lord our G-D, king of the Universe Who made miracles for our forefathers In those days, at this season.

Blessing for the first night only:
This is a blessing we say on each first night of a festival, at momentous occasions, and when eating a new fruit of the season for the first time. We praise G-d for bringing us to this time of celebration.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-he-che-yanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higi-anu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are you our Lord our G-D, king of the Universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and brought us to this season.