What time do I light Chanukah candles, and how long do they have to burn?

Here's what you need to know

The classic time to light the Chanukah menorah (chanukiah) is at the end of sunset, though customs differ on exactly when within the window from sunset to nightfall. Whenever you light, the candles or oil need to last long enough to keep burning until at least half an hour after nightfall.

The specific rule is

Light the menorah at the start of the night, ideally within the window from sunset (shkiah) through nightfall (tzeit hakochavim), following your family or community's custom for exactly when in that window. Make sure the candles or oil have enough fuel to keep burning until at least half an hour after nightfall, however early in that window you light. If you missed that window, you may still light later at night, though without the extra credit of lighting at the ideal time; if everyone in the house is already asleep, ask a rabbi whether to say the blessings.

Step by step

• Find your local sunset and nightfall times for the day.
• Set up the menorah in its proper place (a doorway or window facing the street, or wherever your custom places it) before lighting.
• Light within your family's customary window, sunset for some, nightfall for others.
• Use candles or oil that will keep burning until at least half an hour after nightfall, however early you light.
• If the window has passed, light later in the night, saying the blessings as usual if people in the house are still awake.

Background

The mitzvah's original purpose was to publicize the Chanukah miracle to people passing in the street, so the Talmud frames the timeframe as running from sunset until the marketplace empties of pedestrians, which the Shulchan Arukh puts at about half an hour. That is the source of the widely followed rule that there must be enough fuel to burn for at least that half hour.

Communities differ on exactly when within that window to light. Some light close to sunset itself. Others light a bit later, close to nightfall, when the stars are becoming visible. Both are legitimate; following your own family's custom is the norm, and someone who is unsure should ask their rabbi or check their community's practice.

If you cannot light at the ideal time, for example because you are coming home late from work, the accepted view is that you may still light any time later in the night, since the mitzvah can still be fulfilled within the home even without street pedestrians present. Say the blessings as normal when lighting late while others in the household are awake; if everyone is already asleep, whether to say the blessings is a question for a rabbi. If everyone will already be asleep, some have the practice of lighting earlier before leaving, though this is a case where personal circumstances matter and a rabbi's guidance can help.

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