Blessings

Light the shamash. It is the highest flame on the Chanukiah. Then say these brachot/blessings. (On Shabbat, light & bless the Chanukiah before the Shabbat candles.)

These first two brachot are said on each of the eight nights:

Baruch atah Adon-ai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid-shanu b’mitz-vo-tav v’tzi-vanu l’had-lik ner shel Hanukkah.

Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy by giving us the mitzvoth, and who makes it a mitzvah for us to light the Chanukah lights.

Baruch atah Adon-ai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-asah nissim la-avoteinu ba-yamim ha-hem ba-z’man ha-zeh.

Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who made miracles for our ancestors in their days at this very time of year.


On the first night only:

Baruch Atah Adon-ai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehechiyanu v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu la-z’man ha-zeh.

Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us and allowed us to reach this time.

Candle Lighting Procedure:

1. Place the candles in from right to left.
2. Light the shamash.
3. Recite the blessings.
4. Light the candles with the shamash from left to right, i.e. light the newest candle first.

Chanukah Songs:

I Have a Little Dreidel
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

(Chorus)

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when my dreidel's tired
It drops and then I win!

(Chorus)

My dreidel's always playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let's begin!

(Chorus)

Sivivon, Sov, Sov, Sov (Dreidel – Spin, Spin, Spin)

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov
Chanuka, hu chag tov
Chanuka, hu chag tov
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!

Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am.

(Translation)
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
Chanuka is a great holiday.
It is a celebration for our nation.
A great miracle happened there.

Maoz-Tzur

Maoz tzur yeshua-ti
Lecha na-eh li-sha-beyach
Tikone bait ti-fee-lati
Vi-sham todah ni-za-beyach.
 
Li-ate ta-chin mat-beyach
Mee-tzar ham-na-beyach
Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor
Chanukat ha-meez-beyach
Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor
Chanukat ha-meez-beyach.