When are Hanukkah candles lit? Lighting times vary by stream within Judaism. Ashkenazi Jews customarily light at sunset, so the light will be visible when day transitions to night. Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews typically light at nightfall, usually 12 to 15 minutes after sunset.

Blessings for lighting Hanukkah candles:  On the first night, three blessings are recited: "to kindle the Hanukkah light," "who performed miracles," and "who has kept us alive." On the remaining days of the holiday, only the first two blessings are recited.

Hanukkah candle lighting times 2025

When are Hanukkah candles lit on Friday evening? On Friday evening, Hanukkah candles must be lit before Shabbat begins. On Saturday night, one waits for the Havdalah service to conclude before lighting.

Order of lighting Hanukkah candles Most people follow the method of the Shulchan Aruch, the Rama, and the Arizal. On the first night, the rightmost candle is lit. On the second night, a new candle is added to the left of the first candle and is lit first.

This pattern continues throughout the holiday: each night, one candle is added to the left of the previous one, and the new candle is always lit first.

This method is based on the principle of "ma'alin bakodesh ve'ein moridin" ("ascending in holiness and not descending"), so the new candle is lit first as a sign of adding light and holiness each evening.

What are the main Hanukkah customs?

Lighting candles: Each evening, Hanukkah candles are lit and the menorah is placed in a visible location, usually near a window facing the street. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member lights their own menorah, while Sephardic and Mizrahi families typically have the head of household light for the entire family.

Holiday foods: Hanukkah is associated with foods fried in oil – sufganiyot (jelly donuts) with various fillings and levivot (potato pancakes). In recent years, innovative recipes have driven social media trends. In our food section, you'll find all the hottest trends and recipes to make your holiday special.

Playing with the sevivon: The sevivon (dreidel) bears the letters nun, gimel, hei, peh – an acronym for "a great miracle happened here." The game stems from a tradition recounting that during the decrees of Antiochus, when the Greeks forbade Torah study, Jewish children hid and studied in secret. The custom today serves as a remembrance of those children's bravery and resourcefulness, and as a way to celebrate the miracle that occurred.

Hanukkah gelt: Distributing coins, real money, or chocolate coins is considered a widespread custom expressing joy and giving.

Reading Hallel: On all days of the holiday, the full Hallel is recited in synagogue as thanksgiving for the miracles performed for the Jewish people.

Why do we eat sufganiyot on Hanukkah? The accepted explanation relates to the miracle of the oil flask. In other words, Hanukkah and oil went well together for our ancestors, and thus sufganiyot and levivot joined Jewish tradition, or as a wise Jew once said, "The Jewish principle is: We were in mortal danger, we survived, let's eat."

In the Mishnah (earliest codification of Jewish oral law) (Challah 1:4), a food called sufganin is mentioned: "The sufganin and the duvshanin [...] are exempt from challah (portion of dough given to priests)," it states. Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura explained that this refers to "bread whose dough is soft and made like a sponge." In the year 5657 [1897], David Yellin wrote that sufganiyot were called this because they are soft and spongy, and from them the singular form – sufganiyah – was derived.

Hanukkah 2025 – Frequently asked questions

Do people work as usual during Hanukkah? Yes. There is no prohibition of work on Hanukkah, except for the custom among some women not to perform certain tasks while the candles are burning.

Can children light a menorah? Yes. According to the law of education, children are permitted to light. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member even lights their own candles.

Where should the menorah be placed? It is preferable to place the menorah in a location visible from outside – usually on a windowsill facing the street, to publicize the miracle.

How many candles are lit in total during Hanukkah? During the eight days of Hanukkah, 36 candles of the mitzvah are lit (not counting the shamash): on the first night one candle, on the second two – until reaching eight on the eighth night (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 = 36). If one also counts the shamash, which is added each night for using the light, a total of 44 candles are lit throughout the holiday: 36 mitzvah candles plus 8 shamash candles (one for each night).

What is the difference between a menorah and the Temple candelabrum? The original candelabrum in the Temple had only seven branches. The menorah used on Hanukkah includes eight branches for lighting plus one additional branch for the shamash.

Is it permitted to relight if the candles went out? If the candles went out after the minimum time has passed (half an hour from nightfall) – there is no obligation to relight. If they went out before then, one should relight without a blessing.

Does one need to remain near the menorah while the candles are burning? There is no obligation to stand near the menorah, but there is an obligation for the candles to be in a safe place, without fear of fire or extinguishing.

When are Hanukkah candles lit? Lighting times vary by stream within Judaism. Ashkenazi Jews customarily light at sunset, so the light will be visible when day transitions to night. Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews typically light at nightfall, usually 12 to 15 minutes after sunset.

Blessings for lighting Hanukkah candles:  On the first night, three blessings are recited: "to kindle the Hanukkah light," "who performed miracles," and "who has kept us alive." On the remaining days of the holiday, only the first two blessings are recited.

Hanukkah candle lighting times 2025

When are Hanukkah candles lit on Friday evening? On Friday evening, Hanukkah candles must be lit before Shabbat begins. On Saturday night, one waits for the Havdalah service to conclude before lighting.

Order of lighting Hanukkah candles Most people follow the method of the Shulchan Aruch, the Rama, and the Arizal. On the first night, the rightmost candle is lit. On the second night, a new candle is added to the left of the first candle and is lit first.

This pattern continues throughout the holiday: each night, one candle is added to the left of the previous one, and the new candle is always lit first.

This method is based on the principle of "ma'alin bakodesh ve'ein moridin" ("ascending in holiness and not descending"), so the new candle is lit first as a sign of adding light and holiness each evening.

What are the main Hanukkah customs?

Lighting candles: Each evening, Hanukkah candles are lit and the menorah is placed in a visible location, usually near a window facing the street. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member lights their own menorah, while Sephardic and Mizrahi families typically have the head of household light for the entire family.

Holiday foods: Hanukkah is associated with foods fried in oil – sufganiyot (jelly donuts) with various fillings and levivot (potato pancakes). In recent years, innovative recipes have driven social media trends. In our food section, you'll find all the hottest trends and recipes to make your holiday special.

Playing with the sevivon: The sevivon (dreidel) bears the letters nun, gimel, hei, peh – an acronym for "a great miracle happened here." The game stems from a tradition recounting that during the decrees of Antiochus, when the Greeks forbade Torah study, Jewish children hid and studied in secret. The custom today serves as a remembrance of those children's bravery and resourcefulness, and as a way to celebrate the miracle that occurred.

Hanukkah gelt: Distributing coins, real money, or chocolate coins is considered a widespread custom expressing joy and giving.

Reading Hallel: On all days of the holiday, the full Hallel is recited in synagogue as thanksgiving for the miracles performed for the Jewish people.

Why do we eat sufganiyot on Hanukkah? The accepted explanation relates to the miracle of the oil flask. In other words, Hanukkah and oil went well together for our ancestors, and thus sufganiyot and levivot joined Jewish tradition, or as a wise Jew once said, "The Jewish principle is: We were in mortal danger, we survived, let's eat."

In the Mishnah (earliest codification of Jewish oral law) (Challah 1:4), a food called sufganin is mentioned: "The sufganin and the duvshanin [...] are exempt from challah (portion of dough given to priests)," it states. Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura explained that this refers to "bread whose dough is soft and made like a sponge." In the year 5657 [1897], David Yellin wrote that sufganiyot were called this because they are soft and spongy, and from them the singular form – sufganiyah – was derived.

Hanukkah 2025 – Frequently asked questions

Do people work as usual during Hanukkah? Yes. There is no prohibition of work on Hanukkah, except for the custom among some women not to perform certain tasks while the candles are burning.

Can children light a menorah? Yes. According to the law of education, children are permitted to light. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member even lights their own candles.

Where should the menorah be placed? It is preferable to place the menorah in a location visible from outside – usually on a windowsill facing the street, to publicize the miracle.

How many candles are lit in total during Hanukkah? During the eight days of Hanukkah, 36 candles of the mitzvah are lit (not counting the shamash): on the first night one candle, on the second two – until reaching eight on the eighth night (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 = 36). If one also counts the shamash, which is added each night for using the light, a total of 44 candles are lit throughout the holiday: 36 mitzvah candles plus 8 shamash candles (one for each night).

What is the difference between a menorah and the Temple candelabrum? The original candelabrum in the Temple had only seven branches. The menorah used on Hanukkah includes eight branches for lighting plus one additional branch for the shamash.

Is it permitted to relight if the candles went out? If the candles went out after the minimum time has passed (half an hour from nightfall) – there is no obligation to relight. If they went out before then, one should relight without a blessing.

Does one need to remain near the menorah while the candles are burning? There is no obligation to stand near the menorah, but there is an obligation for the candles to be in a safe place, without fear of fire or extinguishing.

When are Hanukkah candles lit? Lighting times vary by stream within Judaism. Ashkenazi Jews customarily light at sunset, so the light will be visible when day transitions to night. Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews typically light at nightfall, usually 12 to 15 minutes after sunset.

Blessings for lighting Hanukkah candles:  On the first night, three blessings are recited: "to kindle the Hanukkah light," "who performed miracles," and "who has kept us alive." On the remaining days of the holiday, only the first two blessings are recited.

Hanukkah candle lighting times 2025

When are Hanukkah candles lit on Friday evening? On Friday evening, Hanukkah candles must be lit before Shabbat begins. On Saturday night, one waits for the Havdalah service to conclude before lighting.

Order of lighting Hanukkah candles Most people follow the method of the Shulchan Aruch, the Rama, and the Arizal. On the first night, the rightmost candle is lit. On the second night, a new candle is added to the left of the first candle and is lit first.

This pattern continues throughout the holiday: each night, one candle is added to the left of the previous one, and the new candle is always lit first.

This method is based on the principle of "ma'alin bakodesh ve'ein moridin" ("ascending in holiness and not descending"), so the new candle is lit first as a sign of adding light and holiness each evening.

What are the main Hanukkah customs?

Lighting candles: Each evening, Hanukkah candles are lit and the menorah is placed in a visible location, usually near a window facing the street. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member lights their own menorah, while Sephardic and Mizrahi families typically have the head of household light for the entire family.

Holiday foods: Hanukkah is associated with foods fried in oil – sufganiyot (jelly donuts) with various fillings and levivot (potato pancakes). In recent years, innovative recipes have driven social media trends. In our food section, you'll find all the hottest trends and recipes to make your holiday special.

Playing with the sevivon: The sevivon (dreidel) bears the letters nun, gimel, hei, peh – an acronym for "a great miracle happened here." The game stems from a tradition recounting that during the decrees of Antiochus, when the Greeks forbade Torah study, Jewish children hid and studied in secret. The custom today serves as a remembrance of those children's bravery and resourcefulness, and as a way to celebrate the miracle that occurred.

Hanukkah gelt: Distributing coins, real money, or chocolate coins is considered a widespread custom expressing joy and giving.

Reading Hallel: On all days of the holiday, the full Hallel is recited in synagogue as thanksgiving for the miracles performed for the Jewish people.

Why do we eat sufganiyot on Hanukkah? The accepted explanation relates to the miracle of the oil flask. In other words, Hanukkah and oil went well together for our ancestors, and thus sufganiyot and levivot joined Jewish tradition, or as a wise Jew once said, "The Jewish principle is: We were in mortal danger, we survived, let's eat."

In the Mishnah (earliest codification of Jewish oral law) (Challah 1:4), a food called sufganin is mentioned: "The sufganin and the duvshanin [...] are exempt from challah (portion of dough given to priests)," it states. Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura explained that this refers to "bread whose dough is soft and made like a sponge." In the year 5657 [1897], David Yellin wrote that sufganiyot were called this because they are soft and spongy, and from them the singular form – sufganiyah – was derived.

Hanukkah 2025 – Frequently asked questions

Do people work as usual during Hanukkah? Yes. There is no prohibition of work on Hanukkah, except for the custom among some women not to perform certain tasks while the candles are burning.

Can children light a menorah? Yes. According to the law of education, children are permitted to light. In Ashkenazi custom, each household member even lights their own candles.

Where should the menorah be placed? It is preferable to place the menorah in a location visible from outside – usually on a windowsill facing the street, to publicize the miracle.

How many candles are lit in total during Hanukkah? During the eight days of Hanukkah, 36 candles of the mitzvah are lit (not counting the shamash): on the first night one candle, on the second two – until reaching eight on the eighth night (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 = 36). If one also counts the shamash, which is added each night for using the light, a total of 44 candles are lit throughout the holiday: 36 mitzvah candles plus 8 shamash candles (one for each night).

What is the difference between a menorah and the Temple candelabrum? The original candelabrum in the Temple had only seven branches. The menorah used on Hanukkah includes eight branches for lighting plus one additional branch for the shamash.

Is it permitted to relight if the candles went out? If the candles went out after the minimum time has passed (half an hour from nightfall) – there is no obligation to relight. If they went out before then, one should relight without a blessing.

Does one need to remain near the menorah while the candles are burning? There is no obligation to stand near the menorah, but there is an obligation for the candles to be in a safe place, without fear of fire or extinguishing.

The ousted Syrian dictator, who abandoned Damascus on December 8, 2024 when troops under current interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa seized the capital, delivered a solitary public declaration eight days following his flight, Euronews noted. Assad claimed in his December 16 declaration that his exit "was not pre-planned" while asserting his desire to persist in combat, though Moscow insisted on his "immediate withdrawal," according to Euronews.

Following that statement, Assad has preserved virtually complete silence, Euronews reported. His firstborn child, Hafez – bearing his grandfather's name, whose authority he assumed – distributed footage in mid-February depicting him strolling near the Kremlin and describing the clan's rushed Syrian evacuation, though Assad personally has issued no additional public commentary, Euronews stated.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov verified in October that Assad and his relatives reside in Moscow, declaring Russia provided them refuge for humanitarian purposes, Euronews noted.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights asserted in September that Assad received hospital treatment in critical status following suspected poisoning, Euronews reported. The monitoring organization stated that he remained in a hospital on Moscow's periphery for nine days before being discharged on September 29, according to Euronews. Lavrov refuted the poisoning allegations in October, declaring Assad "has no issues living in our capital," Euronews noted.

German weekly Die Zeit disclosed in October that Assad inhabits Moscow's contemporary financial quarter, though the precise address remains unverified, according to Euronews. The residences are characterized as premium units featuring elevated ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and proximity to shopping centers and dining establishments, Euronews noted.

A contact close to the Assad clan informed Die Zeit that the family owns numerous apartment units and occasionally occupies a villa outside Moscow, Euronews reported. The contact asserted Assad "spends much of his time playing online video games" and interacts with bodyguards from a private security firm compensated by the Russian government, according to Euronews.

During 2018 and 2019, the Assad administration transferred approximately $250 million in currency to Moscow, with clan members acquiring at least 18 premium apartments in the city, media outlets disclosed to Euronews.

The US State Department calculated Assad's family fortune at between $1 billion and $2 billion in 2022, financed from "arms and drug trafficking and the rental economy" through shell corporations, Euronews reported.

Syria's transitional administration under al-Sharaa has demanded Assad's extradition for prosecution, according to Euronews. Russia has declined to surrender him, with the Kremlin asserting that President Vladimir Putin personally granted him asylum and that it would remain unaltered, Euronews reported.

The case came to light in late January 2024 when the mother tasted cleaning products in the wine she was drinking. The evening before filing a police complaint, minutes after the caregiver left the house, she noticed foam on a bottle of grape juice and smelled bleach in the wine. Police seized cleaning products from the home, including a cleaning spray and a toilet cleaner containing bleach.

The five-year-old daughter told her mother she saw the caregiver transfer soapy liquid into an alcohol bottle labeled "Jerusalem."

Laboratory tests revealed chemical traces in wine stored at the home, in whisky, in grape juice, and even in pasta. According to the indictment, these are "harmful and even corrosive substances that could cause serious injury to the digestive system."

The caregiver, identified as Laila Y., 42, was arrested in early February 2024. She initially denied the allegations, but during a search of her home, she told officers, "Because they have money and power, I should never have worked for a Jew, she only brought me problems."

During interrogation, she confessed to pouring soap into the food as "punishment" and a "warning" following arguments about her wages. "I was angry, they didn't respect me," she said. "I knew this might cause them pain, but not enough to kill them."

Her defense attorney claimed she retracted her confession and denies the antisemitic motive. According to the lawyer, the real motive was jealousy. "What was said relates to a class issue and financial resentment," the attorney argued.

According to the report, searches on the caregiver's phone included inquiries about the family's identity, about "barbaric Jews" and about Jewish religious customs. Her Facebook account contained posts related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The children testified that the caregiver asked them questions about religion, and the younger daughter said she saw her repeatedly strike the mezuzahs in the house.

The family's attorneys view the acts as antisemitic crimes, and Jonathan Arfi, chairman of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), has been invited to testify at the trial. Arfi said the affair "exposes structural violence that must not be downplayed or ignored."

The caregiver, who has been in custody since February 2024, was in France illegally and forged a Belgian identity document to obtain employment.