Hanukkah Blessings and Prayers 🕎 

חנוכה – Chanukah / Hanukkah

May these prayers bring light, peace, happiness, health, and blessings to your home and family.

This is a complete guide to the traditional Hanukkah candle-lighting blessings, the prayer recited after lighting, and the traditional song Maoz Tzur, with Hebrew, English transliteration, and English translations.

1. The First Blessing – Lighting the Hanukkah Candles

בְּרָכָה לְהַדְלָקַת נֵרוֹת חֲנֻכָּה

RECITED EVERY NIGHT · NIGHTS 1–8

Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.

Transliteration:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

English Translation:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

2. The Second Blessing – The Blessing of Miracles

בִּרְכַּת הַנִּסִּים

RECITED EVERY NIGHT · NIGHTS 1–8

Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Transliteration:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.

English Translation:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.

3. The Third Blessing – Shehecheyanu

בִּרְכַּת שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ

First night only

Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Transliteration:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi'anu lazman hazeh.

English Translation:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this special occasion.

4. Hanerot Halalu – The Hanukkah Lights

הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ

RECITED AFTER LIGHTING THE CANDLES

This prayer reminds us that the Hanukkah candles are sacred and that we light them to remember the miracles, victories, and salvation of our ancestors.

Hebrew:

הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַדְלִיקִין,

עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת,

שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה,

עַל יְדֵי כֹּהֲנֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים.

וְכָל שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי חֲנֻכָּה הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ קֹדֶשׁ הֵם,

וְאֵין לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶם,

אֶלָּא לִרְאוֹתָם בִּלְבָד,

כְּדֵי לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל,

עַל נִסֶּיךָ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְעַל יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ.

Transliteration:

Hanerot halalu anu madlikin,

Al hanisim v'al hanifla'ot v'al hateshu'ot v'al hamilchamot,

She'asita la'avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh,

Al y'dei kohanecha hak'doshim.

V'chol shmonat y'mei Hanukkah hanerot halalu kodesh hem,

V'ein lanu reshut l'hishtamesh bahem,

Ela lir'otam bilvad,

K'dei l'hodot ul'halel l'shimcha hagadol,

Al nisecha v'al nifl'otecha v'al yeshu'atecha.

English Translation:

These lights we kindle because of the miracles, the wonders, the deliverances, and the victories that You performed for our ancestors in those days at this season, through Your holy priests.

Throughout all eight days of Hanukkah, these lights are sacred. 

We are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but only to look at them, so that we may give thanks and praise to Your great name for Your miracles, Your wonders, and Your salvation.

5. Maoz Tzur – Rock of Ages

מָעוֹז צוּר

TRADITIONAL HANUKKAH SONG · SUNG AFTER LIGHTING

Hanukkah Menorah with Lit Candles. Lit menorah on a dark blue background with bokeh lights

This beautiful traditional hymn praises God for protecting the Jewish people throughout history. The first verse is the most commonly sung at Hanukkah candle lighting.

Hebrew – First Verse:

מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי,

לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּחַ.

תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי,

וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּחַ.

לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ,

מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּחַ.

אָז אֶגְמוֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר,

חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ.

Transliteration:

Ma'oz tzur y'shuati,

Lecha na'eh l'shabe'ach.

Tikon beit t'filati,

V'sham todah n'zabe'ach.

L'et tachin matbe'ach,

Mitzar ham'nabe'ach.

Az egmor b'shir mizmor,

Chanukat hamizbe'ach.

English Translation:

Rock of Ages, let our song praise Your saving power.

You, amid the raging foes, were our sheltering tower.

They fiercely attacked us, but Your strength came to our aid.

And Your word broke their sword when our own strength failed us.

When You prepare the downfall of our enemies, we will complete our song of praise and celebrate the rededication of the altar.

6. The Order of Hanukkah Candle Lighting

The ghost of Hanukkah past

forward.com

Here is the traditional order:

1. Arrange the candles in the menorah, adding one candle for each night.

2. Light the shamash (helper candle).

3. Recite the first blessing.

4. Recite the second blessing.

5. On the first night only, recite Shehecheyanu as the third blessing.

6. Use the shamash to light the Hanukkah candles.

7. Recite Hanerot Halalu.

8. Sing Maoz Tzur.

Remember:

• First night: Three blessings.

• Nights two through eight: Two blessings.

• Hanerot Halalu is recited after lighting.

• The Hanukkah candles are for viewing, not for ordinary illumination.

7. A Special Hanukkah Blessing for Your Family

This is a personal prayer, rather than a traditional Hebrew liturgical bracha, that you may say together after lighting the menorah.

May the lights of Hanukkah shine upon our home and fill our hearts with love, peace, happiness, and gratitude.

May God bless our family with good health, strength, protection, prosperity, and many beautiful years together.

May the miracles of Hanukkah remind us that even in difficult times, there is always hope, faith, and light.

May our homes always be filled with warmth, our hearts with kindness, and our lives with countless blessings.

Chag Sameach! Happy Hanukkah!

חַג חֲנֻכָּה שָׂמֵחַ!

Additional references for the traditional prayers:

• Chabad – Menorah Blessings

• Chabad – Hanerot Halalu

• My Jewish Learning – Hanukkah Blessings

Note: 

Maoz Tzur has several traditional verses, and the first verse above is the one most commonly sung at home after lighting the candles.

May you and your loved ones have eight beautiful nights filled with light, love, and miracles.

Happy Hanukkah! 🕎

Keywords:

Hanukkah Blessings - Jewish Holiday Brachot

Hanukkah Candle Lighting 

Hanukkah Blessings for Candle Lighting 

The Hanukkah Planner

Hanukkah Prayer

Chanukah Blessings - Hebrew and English 

Hanukkah Candle Lighting Guide

Hafrashat Challah Blessing Personalized

Challah Baking Blessing Template

Jewish Prayer During Hanukkah 

Hanukkah Candle Blessing - Festival of Lights Art - Hanukkah Decor Prayer 

Chanukah Blessings Hebrew and English 

Shehecheyanu Prayer

Maoz Tzur

Hanukkah Blessing Card

Hanukkah Resource Hub:

• Who were the Maccabees? The Courageous Family Who Lit a Flame That Still Burns Today

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/who-were-maccabees-courageous-family.html

• The History of Hanukkah - When a Small Light Refused to Go Out

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/the-history-of-hanukkah-when-small.html

• What is The Story of Hanukkah — and Why It Still Speaks to the Jewish Soul Today

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/what-is-story-of-hanukkah-and-why-it.html

• Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting - Finding Light in the Darkest Hour

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/bondi-beach-hanukkah-shooting-finding.html

• 11 Hanukkah Gift Ideas for Adults Who Have Everything (Thoughtful, Meaningful & Truly Unforgettable)

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/11-hanukkah-gift-ideas-for-adults-who.html

• 6 Tips to Host a Stress-Free Hanukkah Dinner Your Guests Will Love

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/6-tips-to-host-stress-free-hanukkah.html

• Top 10 Menorahs of 2025 - Find the Perfect One for Your Home

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/top-10-menorahs-of-2025-find-perfect.html

• 9 Fun and Engaging Hanukkah Activities for Kids That Will Keep Them Busy (and Create Memories They’ll Never Forget)

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/9-fun-and-engaging-hanukkah-activities.html

• 7 Last-Minute Hanukkah Gifts You Can Buy Online Today (That Still Feel Thoughtful, Meaningful, and Full of Heart)

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/7-last-minute-hanukkah-gifts-you-can.html

• 12 Delicious Hanukkah Recipes That Are Easy, Kosher, and Crowd-Pleasing

https://www.kohathite.com/2025/12/12-delicious-hanukkah-recipes-that-are.html