Hanukkah Rituals

Hanukkah has relatively simple religious rituals that are performed during the eight nights and days of the holiday. Some aspects are practiced at home by the family, other aspects are communal.

There are additions to the regular daily prayer services in the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book. Jewish law does not require one to refrain from activities on Hanukkah that would fit the Jewish definition of "work." Thus people are allowed to go to school and work. Employees are not given the holiday off and children are generally only given two or three days off from school.

Kindling the Hanukkah Lights

When to light the Hanukkah lights

Blessings over the Hanukkah candles

After kindling the Hanukkah lights - Hanerot Halalu

Singing of Maoz Tzur after lighting Hanukkah Candles

Other Hanukkah Customs