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		Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Chanukah » How-To » Texts and Prayers » Blessings

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Blessings on the Menorah

Before kindling the Chanukah lights on the first night of Chanukah, Wednesday, December 1, 2010, (or if you're kindling the Chanukah lights for the first time this year) recite all three blessings. On every subsequent night only the first two are recited.

Recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Chanukah):

1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Cha-nu-kah.

2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh.

3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.

Translation:

1. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

2. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

3. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

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Latest Comments:

Posted: Dec 17, 2009

chanukah blessings

was also looking for the ha' Nissim prayer said after lighting the first new light

Posted By Larry Liss, Alexandria, va

Posted: Dec 13, 2009

Thank you

Posted By inge reisinger

Posted: Dec 11, 2009

Re: To Johnny Cohen

If I undetstand correctly, there are in fact only 7 mitzvot that the rabbis added, and kindling the Chanukah lamps is one of them. The others are:

* To recite a blessing for each enjoyment
* To ritually wash the hands before eating
* To prepare lights in advance of Shabbat
* To construct an Eruv to permit carrying to and within public areas on Shabbat
* To recite the Hallel psalms on holy days
* To read the Scroll of Esther on Purim

These seven rabbinical commandments are treated like Biblical commandments insofar as, prior to the performance of each, a benediction is recited, i.e.:

"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has commanded us ..."

The divine command is considered implied in the general law to follow any instructions of the religious authorities (Deuteronomy 17:11, and 32:7; Shab. 23a).

Posted By Effie Ross, Atlanta, GA

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	Blessings on the Menorah
The blessings on the kindling of the menorah including audio, translation and transliteration.