Printable Hanukkah Blessings
Hanukkah Prayer First Night
The first night of Hanukkah prayer has three parts:
Part 1 – Shehecheyanu Blessing (This blessing is recited only on the first night before lighting the candles)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, Shehecheyanu V’kiy’manu V’higiyanu Lazman Hazeh.
English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Part 2 – Blessing over the Candles (This blessing is recited every night before lighting the candles)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.
Transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, V’tzivanu L’hadlik Ner Shel Chanukah.
English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candles.
Part 3 – Blessing of the Miracles (This blessing is also recited every night before lighting the candles)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, She’asah Nissim La’avoteinu Ba’yamim Ha’hem Ba’zman Ha’zeh.
English Meaning: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Hanukkah Candle Lighting Prayer from the Second Night
The hanukkah blessings from the second night are as follows:
Part 1 – Blessing over the Candles (This blessing is recited every night before lighting the candles)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.
Transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, V’tzivanu L’hadlik Ner Shel Chanukah.
English Meaning: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candles.
Part 2 – Blessing of the Miracles (This blessing is also recited every night before lighting the candles)
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, She’asah Nissim La’avoteinu Ba’yamim Ha’hem Ba’zman Ha’zeh.
English Meaning: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
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Each of the prayers above includes the meaning in English.
The difference in the Hanukkah prayers on the first night stems from the inclusion of the Shehecheyanu blessing. This special blessing is recited to express gratitude for reaching a significant and joyful occasion.
Purpose: The Shehecheyanu blessing is a general Jewish prayer of gratitude that is recited on the first occurrence of something significant. It is traditionally said when performing a mitzvah (commandment) for the first time in a year, such as lighting the Hanukkah candles on the first night, as well as during other joyful events like holidays or the arrival of new experiences.
Significance on the First Night of Hanukkah: On the first night of Hanukkah, the Shehecheyanu blessing is recited to express thanks for being able to reach the occasion of Hanukkah and to perform the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles. It’s a way of acknowledging the joy of experiencing the festival once again and celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah.
Subsequent Nights: On the following nights of Hanukkah, the Shehecheyanu blessing is no longer recited because the occasion of lighting the Hanukkah candles is no longer a “first” occurrence for that year. The focus on these nights shifts to the regular Hanukkah blessings that commemorate the miracle and commandment associated with the holiday.
Thus, the first night is marked by this additional blessing to celebrate the beginning of the festival, while the remaining nights continue with the blessings specifically related to lighting the candles and commemorating the miracles of Hanukkah.
On Hanukkah, it’s traditional to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple. Here are some popular Hanukkah foods:
1. Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
- Description: Latkes are crispy, fried potato pancakes often made with grated potatoes, onions, eggs, and flour. They are typically served with applesauce or sour cream.
- Significance: The oil used to fry latkes symbolizes the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
2. Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)
- Description: Sufganiyot are deep-fried doughnuts filled with jelly or custard and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Significance: Like latkes, the oil used to fry sufganiyot is a reminder of the Hanukkah miracle.
3. Gelt (Chocolate Coins)
- Description: Chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil.
- Significance: Gelt is often given to children and used as tokens during the game of dreidel, symbolizing the Hanukkah miracle and the theme of giving.
These foods are enjoyed not just for their flavors but for their symbolic connection to the Hanukkah story, particularly the miracle of the oil.
On Hanukkah, it’s traditional to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lHanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE, after it was reclaimed by the Jewish people from the Seleucid Empire.
- The Maccabean Revolt: Hanukkah’s story begins with the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish uprising led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers against the Seleucid Empire, which was attempting to forcefully Hellenize the Jewish people. The Seleucids had imposed harsh measures, banning Jewish religious practices and desecrating the Temple in Jerusalem by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, which are forbidden in Judaism.
- Victory and Rededication: The Maccabees, though vastly outnumbered, successfully fought back and recaptured Jerusalem. Upon reclaiming the Temple, they sought to purify and rededicate it. However, they found that almost all of the ritual oil used to light the menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum) had been defiled.
The Miracle of the Oil:
- The Oil: According to Jewish tradition, the Maccabees found only a small flask of pure olive oil, enough to keep the menorah lit for just one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, long enough for them to prepare and consecrate a fresh supply.
- Significance of the Miracle: This miracle is seen as a sign of divine intervention and is central to the celebration of Hanukkah. The holiday is observed for eight days to honor this miraculous event.
Hanukkah is not just about the historical events but also about the themes of religious freedom, resistance against oppression, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining one’s cultural and religious identity in the face of adversity.
- Lighting the Menorah: The most important tradition of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah, which has nine branches. One candle is lit on each night of Hanukkah, starting with one candle on the first night and adding an additional candle each subsequent night until all eight candles are lit on the final night. The ninth candle, called the “shamash” (servant), is used to light the others.
- Special Prayers and Blessings: Special prayers, including the blessings over the candles and the “Hallel” (psalms of praise), are recited during Hanukkah.
- Playing Dreidel: The dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side, is played as a traditional game during Hanukkah. The letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle of the oil.
- Eating Fried Foods: Foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are eaten to symbolize the miracle of the oil.
On Hanukkah, it’s traditional to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lHanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE, after it was reclaimed by the Jewish people from the Seleucid Empire.
- The Maccabean Revolt: Hanukkah’s story begins with the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish uprising led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers against the Seleucid Empire, which was attempting to forcefully Hellenize the Jewish people. The Seleucids had imposed harsh measures, banning Jewish religious practices and desecrating the Temple in Jerusalem by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, which are forbidden in Judaism.
- Victory and Rededication: The Maccabees, though vastly outnumbered, successfully fought back and recaptured Jerusalem. Upon reclaiming the Temple, they sought to purify and rededicate it. However, they found that almost all of the ritual oil used to light the menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum) had been defiled.
The Miracle of the Oil:
- The Oil: According to Jewish tradition, the Maccabees found only a small flask of pure olive oil, enough to keep the menorah lit for just one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, long enough for them to prepare and consecrate a fresh supply.
- Significance of the Miracle: This miracle is seen as a sign of divine intervention and is central to the celebration of Hanukkah. The holiday is observed for eight days to honor this miraculous event.
Hanukkah is not just about the historical events but also about the themes of religious freedom, resistance against oppression, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining one’s cultural and religious identity in the face of adversity.
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