This evening, December 14th, marks the beginning of the holiday of Chanukiah—the celebration of the victory of Light over Darkness, one of the most vibrant holidays of the Jewish calendar. Among the many mitzvot, traditions, and customs of the holiday, the most fundamental, of course, is the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukiah lamp, which must be observed every evening for all eight days of Chanukiah.
A short video produced by the Mitzvah Channel organization with the support of the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU) explains how to properly set up the Chanukiah, how to properly light the Chanukiah lamps, and how to behave properly during this time.
It’s important to remember that the Chanukiah should be positioned so that it is visible from the street—for the light of the Chanukiah candles, possessing great spiritual power, should, upon leaving Jewish homes, illuminate the entire world, making it a better place. The seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also commanded that large Chanukiah lamps be erected in the center of cities so that their light would impact the surrounding area, similar to the world-transforming light of Hasidism.
The mitzvah of lighting the Chanukiah lamps must be observed with the utmost care. This mitzvah is obligatory for everyone: even a beggar living on alms is obligated to borrow money or sell his clothing to purchase oil or at least candles for the Chanukiah lamp.
The Talmud states that it is prescribed to light at least one Chanukiah lamp in the house, and this fulfills the mitzvah for all family members, but it is best if each male household member lights his own Chanukiah. Women are not expected to light the Chanukiah lamps; they fulfill their duty by being present when their husband or father lights the lamps and responding “amen” to the blessings he recites. Even an unmarried woman does not light the Hanukkah lamp herself. At her request, a man may do so, even if he has already fulfilled this obligation.
