The eight-day festival of Chanukah begins tonight. In commemoration of the miracle of the oil (see "Today in Jewish History" for Kislev 25) we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oil lamps or candles -- each evening for eight days, increasing the number of lights each evening. For this evening, the first night of Chanukah, we kindle one light. (In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; this evening, then, commences the 1st day of Chanukah).

IMPORTANT: Because of the prohibition to kindle fire on Shabbat, the first Chanukah light must be lit before lighting the Shabbat candles, and should contain enough oil (or the candle be big enough) to burn until 30 minutes after nightfall. Candle lighting time for your location is displayed below. (If no time is displayed, click on icon to set your location.)

For the 1st Chanukah light, we recite three blessings; for text and audio of the blessings, click here.

For a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting click here.

For additional Chanukah observances, see Laws & Customs for tomorrow, Kislev 25.