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Haneirot Halalu in Hebrew and English

The short text said right after the candles are lit.

The text of the prayer

The Ashkenaz and Edot HaMizrach wordings. The Sefard wording is not on this page.

The English under each line is Israel.com's own plain-English meaning, not a printed translation.

Ashkenaz

הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ שֶׁאָנוּ מַדְלִיקִין, עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת, שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה, עַל יְדֵי כֹּהֲנֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים. וְכָל שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הַחֲנֻכָּה הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ קֹדֶשׁ הֵם וְאֵין לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶם, אֶלָּא לִרְאוֹתָם בִּלְבָד, כְּדֵי לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל נִסֶּיךָ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְעַל יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ.

These lights that we light are for the miracles, the wonders, the rescues and the wars that You did for our ancestors in those days, at this season, through Your holy priests. For all eight days of Hanukkah these lights are holy, and we have no permission to use them, only to look at them, so that we may thank and praise Your great name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your rescue.

Sources read on 3 November 2026

When and how this prayer is said

  • Customarily said after the Hanukkah candles are lit, on each of the eight nights.
  • This page has 2 wordings: Ashkenaz and Edot HaMizrach
  • 49 words, about 1 minute to read

More prayers and texts

Prayers by the time they are said·All 150 psalms and today's reading

Questions about this prayer

What is Haneirot Halalu?

A short text that opens with the words “These lights”. It says that the candles are lit for the miracles, the rescues and the wonders done for our ancestors, and that the lights are holy for all eight days of Hanukkah.

When is Haneirot Halalu said?

Customarily right after the candles are lit, on each of the eight nights. It is not a blessing.

What does it mean that the lights may only be looked at?

The text says that for the eight days the lights are holy and that we have no permission to use them, only to look at them, in order to give thanks. Customarily this is the reason for the helper candle, the shamash, which is lit as well, so that any use of the light comes from it.

Are the two wordings the same?

No. The Ashkenaz wording names miracles, wonders, rescues and wars, and says “in those days, at this season”. The Edot HaMizrach wording names miracles, rescues and wonders, and leaves out the wars and that phrase. Both say that the lights are holy for the eight days and only to be looked at.

How long does Haneirot Halalu take?

About 1 minute at a steady pace, 49 words.