Order of Lighting
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Question
What is the proper way to light the Chanukah candle?
Answer
A. Before lighting, gather the family together to publicize the miracle, and everyone should hear the blessings and see the lighting.
B. According to the basic law, there is no obligation to wash hands before lighting the Chanukah candles, but some say it is good to wash hands.
C. Hold the candle with which you light the others in your right hand, and bless after lighting it.
D. On the first night, recite three blessings: the first blessing "to light the Chanukah candle," some say "shelchanukah" as one word, and some say "to light the Chanukah candle." The second blessing "who performed miracles for our forefathers." The third blessing "shehecheyanu."
On the other days, recite two blessings, "to light" and "who performed miracles."
E. All blessings should be recited before lighting, and immediately after finishing the blessing, begin to light.
F. It is good to stay by the candles and recite songs and praises and publicize the miracle, but there is no obligation to stay by the candles for half an hour, especially for those who light outside. [In the book "Makor Chaim" (Siman 672) it is written that the main mitzvah is for the lighter to stay by the candles for half an hour, see there for an extensive discussion. Also in the book "Menucha VeKedusha." But all this is for those who light inside].
G. When lighting the candles, delay and do not remove your hand from the wick until the fire catches most of the wick coming out of the oil.
H. After removing your hand from the first candle, begin to recite the prayer "these Chanukah lights," and some say not to recite "these Chanukah lights" until after finishing lighting all the candles, to avoid interruption between the blessing and lighting all the candles.