When To Light The Menorah

Halacha Moment
Nov 27, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Dec 16, 2025

The Daily Halacha Moment - Time to Light The Menorah 🕎

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

When is the proper time for one to light the menorah?

Answer:

The ideal time to kindle the Chanukah lights is at the conclusion of sunset, known as tzet hakochavim—approximately thirteen and a half minutes after shkiyah (sunset). [1]

If one is unable to light at tzet hakochavim or later, it is permissible to light as early as plag haminchah, which is one and a quarter Halachic hours before tzet hakochavim. In such cases, one must ensure that the menorah contains enough oil or wax for the lights to continue burning until at least half an hour after tzet hakochavim. This early lighting is intended only for extenuating circumstances, and one should not make it a regular practice.

If a person lights early due to necessity but later has the opportunity to light at the proper time, they should relight the menorah then, though without reciting a berachah. [2]

Once the ideal time has passed, it is still permitted to light at any point during the night until dawn (alot hashachar), and a berachah may still be recited. [3] However, after alot hashachar, one may no longer light with a berachah, though lighting the menorah without a blessing remains permitted. [4]

Even when lighting at the optimal time, it is essential to ensure that the menorah is filled with a sufficient amount of oil or wax so that the lights will burn for at least thirty minutes, fulfilling the mitzvah properly. [5]

Sources:

[1]. Shulchan Aruch 672 §1; Ben Ish Chai, Vayeshev 1:7; Kaf HaChaim §2; Shemesh U’Magen 1:31–32; Ohr LeTzion, vol. 4, 43:1; Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah, p. 62.

[2]. See Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah, p. 69, which explains the Shulchan Aruch. See also Torat HaMoadim, Chanukah, p. 98, which states that a berachah should not be recited if one is lighting at plag haminchah. See also Yalkut Yosef, Chanuakah, p. 216, in the footnotes, in the name of Shemen Afarsamon 2:15.

[3]. Shulchan Aruch §2. The Mishnah Berurah §11; Ben Ish Chai, Vayeshev 1:7; Kaf HaChaim §26; and Tefillah LeMoshe 2:49 state that one may only recite a berachah if at least one other person in the house is awake. However, Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah, p. 64; and Halichot Olam vol. 1, p. 63 state that one may even light with a berachah if everyone in the house is sleeping. However, even according to Chazon Ovadia, it is preferable to wake up someone else in the house to be present during the lighting. See also Yalkut Yosef, Chanukah, pages 248–262, and Teshuvot HaRishon LeTzion 2:81, which discusses this subject at length.

[4]. However, Torat HaMoadim, Chanukah, p. 103, in the name of Chacham Ovadia Yosef, as brought in Kovetz Kol Sinai, adds that one should light without a berachah, even after alot hashachar, if it is still before netz hachamah. This is so that one may at least fulfill his obligation according to the Ravya, in the name of Tosafot, who holds that one may light during the day if he missed lighting at night, even though one may not rely on this view to make a berachah.

[5]. Shulchan Aruch 672:2.

Adapted from the Laws Of The Holidays - Nacson

📲 The Daily Halacha Moment is written exclusively for this broadcast so when forwarding please include the link! 😊

Rabbi Netanel Aminov

Founder Of The Halacha Moment

🌟 Today's Halacha Moment is dedicated:

🕯 Leiluy Nishmat:

Mishael Ben Frecha

Efrat Bat Aushra

Faradj Goel Ben Batia

🤒 Refuah Shelema:

Chana Bat Sima Feiga