Chanukah Hannukah Menorah lighting How and why Blessings BLESSING 1 English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah. Common Ashkenazi (Western Europe, Belorussia, Baltic Republics): Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom Asher Kiddeshonu Be-mitsvoysov Ve-tsivonu Lehadlik Neyr Shel khanuko BLESSING 2 English: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season. Common Ashkenazi (Western Europe, Belorussia, Baltic Republics): Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom She-oso Nissim La-avoseynu Ba-yyomim Ho-heym Ba-zzman Ha-zze BLESSING 3 This blessing is recited only on the first night or the first time one kindles the Hanukkah lights. English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time. Common Ashkenazi (Western Europe, Belorussia, Baltic Republics): Borukh Ato Adoynoy Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom She-hekheyonu Ve-kiymonu Ve-higgi'onu La-zzman Ha-zze