Chanukah

As the eight days of Chanukkah begin, a few reminders:

• Safety first!  It is recommended not to leave candles unattended in your home.  If you have to leave the house and the candles are still lit, it is permissible to extinguish them before leaving if they have been lit for at least a half an hour after nightfall.
• The earliest time for candle lighting is sunset (about 4:25 PM).  Many wait until a few minutes later than that, and some wait until nightfall (about 5:15 PM).  Either way, the candles must remain lit for a full half hour past nightfall.
• Candles should be lit in the place you sleep, even if you eat dinner or attend a Chanukkah party elsewhere that night.
• Ideally, the candles should be lit near a window that faces the street.  If that's not possible, they should be lit in a place where people in the house will see the them.
• On Friday night, Chanukkah candles are lit before Shabbos candles.  At least one candle must burn long enough that it will last a half hour past nightfall.
• On motzei Shabbos, havdala is said first, followed by Chanukkah candles.
• Remember to include Al HaNissim in Shemoneh Esrei and Birkat Hamazon, and to say Hallel each day of Hanukkah.  

Chanukkah sameach!