Holidays
At the Lighting of Chanukah Candles - Do You Recite the Blessings Before or After?
Question
At the lighting of Chanukah candles, do you light first and then recite the blessings, or the other way around?
Thank you
Answer
Hello,
On all nights of Chanukah, all the blessings should be recited before the lighting, and only after finishing all the blessings should one begin the lighting.
Sources: Rema, Orach Chaim (siman 676, section 2) and Biur Halacha there; Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah (pages 125-127); and Yalkut Yosef (siman 676, section 5). See also Responsa Vayeshev HaYam, part 1 (siman 11).
Happy Chanukah, Hillel Meirs
