Blessings and Prayers

Before lighting the candles, special blessings are said:

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Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam

asheir kidshanu b’-mitzvotav v’-tzivanu l’hadlik neir shel Chanuka.
 

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe,

who has sanctified us by His commandments

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanuka.
 

Followed by:

 

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam

sheh-asa nissim lavoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh.

 

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,

who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.
 

On the 1st night or the 1st first time one kindles the Chanuka lights:

 

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam

shehecheyanu v’kimanu v’higgi-anu lazman hazeh.

 

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe,

who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

 

After kindling the lights, Hanerot Halalu is recited:

Haneirot halalu anachnu madlikin

al hanisim v’al haniflaot
v’al hatshu-ot v’al hamilchamot sheh-asita lavoteinu
bayamim haheim bazman hazeh
al y’dei kohanecha hak’doshim
v’chol shmonat y’mei Chanuka haneirot halalu kodesh heim,
v’ein lanu r’shut l’hishtameish bahem elah lirotam bilvad,
k’dei l’hodot ul’hallel l’shimcha hagadol
al nisecha v’al niflotecha v’al y’shuatecha.

 

We kindle these lights
For the miracles and the wonders
For the redemption and the battles
Which You performed for our forefathers
In those days at this season
Through Your holy priests.
During all eight days of Hanukka
These lights are sacred
And we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them
But only to look at them
In order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name
For Your miracles, Your wonders, and your salvations

 

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