Every year, I like many of us forget the correct way to light the Chanukah candles.  In lieu of a “typical” article, I created this infographic that I hope will assist us all in our celebration of the holiday.  Feel free to click here to download the picture or just print and cut this page out to refer to when lighting your Chanukah candles** this year beginning on Sunday night, December 22, 2019 after dark. Happy Chanukah!

**IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LIGHTING CHANUKAH CANDLES: 
The Torah commands us וָחַי בָּהֶם  – to live by the commandments – (Leviticus 18:5) and take all necessary safety precautions in fulfillment of the mitzvot.  Therefore, when lighting Chanukah candles, whether it be in a professionally made chanukiyah or an art project made at Temple Emanu-el, please exercise caution!  Lit candles can create an unsafe environment when placed near elements that are not intended to be near a flame (ex. certain decorations on a chanukiyah might not be totally fire safe, placing a chanukiyah too close to window shades, etc.) Please do not leave your lit chanukiyah unattended or assume that your menorah is “safe.” Remember to follow common fire safety practices and may we all have a joyous and safe holiday.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE INFOGRAPHIC

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg