Uriel da Costa
& Other Curiel / קוריאל / da Costa Adventures
Digital Menorah
The Menorah is one of the oldest and most enduring symbols of the Jewish faith. Lighting it serves as a public proclamation of the miracle (Pirsumei Nisa), symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and freedom over oppression.
Click the candles to kindle the lights.
How to Light
Timing: Light after sunset. On Friday, light before Shabbat candles.
Arrangement: Place candles far right to left. Add new one to left each night.
Lighting: Light Shamash, say blessings, light candles left (newest) to right.
The Blessings
Recite while holding the lit Shamash
1. The Blessing Over the Lights
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.
2. The Blessing for Miracles
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-asah nisim la-avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
3. The Shehecheyanu
(First Night Only)
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higiyanu lazman hazeh.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
After Lighting
Haneirot Halalu
"We kindle these lights for the miracles and the wonders..."
Haneirot halalu anachnu madlikin, al hanisim v'al haniflaot...
הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ אֲנַחְנוּ מַדְלִיקִין עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת...
Maoz Tzur
"Rock of Ages, let our song praise Thy saving power..."
Maoz tzur y'shu-ati, l'cha na-eh l'shabe-ach...
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי, לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּחַ...
Kabbalah: Uriel & The Divine Flame
In the mystical tradition of Kabbalah, the archangel Uriel ("Fire of God") serves as the conduit for the primal energy of El. His essence bridges the infinite aspects of the Divine—from the creative plurality of Elohim to the singular, feminine presence of Eloah—revealing the many faces of the One.
This spiritual fire is not distant; it is the same spark ignited in the Menorah. Just as the Jewish people have sustained the light of Torah through centuries of darkness, Uriel’s flame represents the enduring power of the soul to illuminate the physical world, turning every candle into a vessel for the Divine presence.