What is the Hanukkah candle lighting prayer?

The Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony involves reciting two blessings every night of Hanukkah, and a third blessing (Shehecheyanu) on the first night only. These blessings are recited after placing the candles but before lighting them (according to most Ashkenazic custom) or after lighting (according to some Sephardic customs).

Key Takeaways

Two blessings are recited every night of Hanukkah; a third blessing (Shehecheyanu) is added on the first night.
The blessings are recited at candle lighting time, ideally after nightfall when the candles can publicize the miracle (pirsumei nisa).
The Al HaNissim prayer is added to Shemoneh Esrei and Birkat HaMazon throughout the entire holiday.
The order is: place candles, recite blessings, then light (Ashkenazic custom).
After lighting, HaNerot Halalu and Maoz Tzur (or Hallel passages) are traditionally recited or sung.

The Three Blessings

Blessing 1 — On the Mitzvah of Lighting

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner Hanukkah.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light."

Blessing 2 — On the Miracles

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, she'asah nissim la'avoteinu bayamim hahem baz'man hazeh.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season."

Blessing 3 — Shehecheyanu (First Night Only)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season."

Sources and Background

The Talmud in Tractate Shabbat 23a establishes the blessing over the Hanukkah lights. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Hanukkah 3:4) codifies all three blessings and rules that the Shehecheyanu applies only to the first night, since it marks the renewal of the mitzvah each year.

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 676:1) rules that the blessings are recited before the lighting begins, consistent with the general principle that blessings over mitzvot precede the action (over l'asiyatan).

After Lighting: HaNerot Halalu

After lighting, it is customary to recite HaNerot Halalu, a short declaration explaining that the lights are holy and may not be used for ordinary purposes — only for publicizing the miracle (pirsumei nisa). This text dates back to the Tractate Sofrim (20:6), one of the minor Talmudic tractates.

The Core Theme: Publicizing the Miracle

Rashi [Shabbat 21b] emphasizes that the primary purpose of Hanukkah candles is pirsumei nisa — publicizing the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple. This is why candles are ideally placed at the doorway or window visible to the public.

For personal guidance on specific customs, candle placement, or timing in your community, consult your local rabbi or posek.