How to Light Hannukah Candles (Sephardic Tradition)

In this instructional video (04:05), Rabbi David Benchlouch of the Sephardi Hebrew Congregation of Cape Town demonstrates how to light the Hannukah candles according to Sephardic tradition. Whereas in Ashkenazi custom, the “shamash” candle is lit first and then used to light the rest of the candles, in Sephardic custom, a separate candle is used to first light the Hannukah candles and then the “shamash” at the end. The Sephardic Hannukah blessings over the candles are displayed in the document below. Although this resource was created by the Chabad Hasidic movement, both Hasidim and Sephardim share the same Hannukah blessings, based in the Kabbalistic tradition. These blessings are generally followed by the recitation of Hanerot Hallalu, Psalm 30 and other traditional songs (not Maoz Tzur, as is customary in Asheknazi communities). To read more about Sephardic Hannukah traditions, click here.

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gives you a quick and easy guide to the correct method of lighting your Chanukah candles. Chag Sameach!