Q. How are the candles lit?

A. On the first night we light the candle on the extreme right of the Chanukah Menorah.  The next night we insert a new candle to the left of the first. We light the new candle first and then the old one. Similarly on each night of Chanukah we light the new candle first and then proceed from left to right. 

The Lesson: Left symbolizes the forces of evil; right the forces of good. It doesn’t matter if we are on the left, as long as we are proceeding towards the right! Please note: NO political connotations here!)

Q. When are the candles lit?

A. Unlike Shabbat candles which must be lit before sunset, the Chanukah candles should preferably be lit after sunset (8.02pm this week) and remain alight for at least half an hour after nightfall - i.e. until 9.00pm. The exceptions to this are: Friday evening when they must be lit before the Shabbat Candles but no earlier than 6.32pm; Saturday night, this year the first night of Chanukah, when the candles are lit after Havdalah and must remain alight for half an hour.

The Lesson: Chanukah reminds us of our responsibility to not only brighten up the day but also the night. It is important to constantly add brightness to our lives (no matter how bright they may already be!) We must however not forget our responsibility to brighten the dark lives of those around us.

Q. Where should the candles be placed?

A. The candles should be placed either near a window facing the street or in the left hand side of a doorway opposite the Mezuzah. 

Lesson: The street and the left hand side (in Jewish thought, the Satan is often called, Sma'al, the "lefty") represent darkness and evil respectively, reminding us once again to light up the spiritual darkness of the world. We are also reminded, by the presence of the Mezuzah on the right and the Menorah on the left to endeavour to constantly surround ourselves with Mitzvot.

The noted Sefardi authority, the Ben Ish Chai gives a different and fascinating explanation:  He explains that when walking through the doorway on Chanukah, while wearing tzitzit, one is in fact calling for Moshiach to come. The Midrash (Shochar Tov Proverbs 19) tells us that Messiah’s name is Tzemach: Tz of tzitzit; M of mezuzah, and Ch of Chanukah 

Q. What may be used as candles?

A. One may use either wax candles or oil. If possible it is best to use olive oil as it was with olive oil that the miracle of Chanukah occured. A small quantity of oil burns much longer than a similar quantity of wax making it easier to ensure that the candles remain alight for the required period. This is especially important on Friday night when one must light the candles earlier, or when lighting early so that young children can see them.

The Lesson:  Oil floats above water; it is a lubricant. A Jew must lubricate – influence – his environment yet at the same time float above – not be influenced by it himself. Of course one may and should utilize all the good advances in science and technology for the service of G-d. But as everyone knows, there is much in our environment which we would be better off without

Q. Is work permitted during Chanukah?

A. Jewish women have a custom not to do housework while the Chanukah candles are lit. Great salvation has come through our women during the time of Chanukah, the time of Purim and the time of Pesach. It has always been the women who have been at the forefront of our nation’s salvation. 

Lesson: The fate of our nation today also rests on our women. It is they who are called the Akeret HaBayt – the pillar of the Jewish home. And it is the women who are promised a greater portion of the World to Come as it says in Talmud, “The promise of the Holy One, Blessed be He, to women concerning the World to Come is greater than His promise to men” – Brachot 17b