Chanukah minhagim
Sephardic Chanukah customs
Sephardic and Mizrachi families light Chanukah according to the Shulchan Aruch of Rav Yosef Karo, with beautiful customs carried from Spain, Morocco, Iraq, Persia and beyond. Here is how the Sephardic custom differs, and what Ashkenazim do.
Side by side
Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs
| Question | Sephardic custom | Ashkenazi custom |
|---|---|---|
| Who lights | One menorah per household, lit by the head of the home | Each member of the family lights his own |
| Fuel | Olive oil is strongly preferred | Olive oil preferred, candles common |
| When | Many light at sunset, others at nightfall | Many light at nightfall |
| Brachot text | L’hadlik ner Chanukah | L’hadlik ner Chanukah, some say ner shel Chanukah |
| After lighting | Haneirot Halalu, Tehillim 30 and Tehillim 67 | Haneirot Halalu and Maoz Tzur |
| Motzei Shabbat at home | Havdalah, then the menorah | Many light the menorah, then Havdalah |
In Sephardic homes
Customs and foods
Tehillim in a menorah
Many Sephardim say Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit, Tehillim 30, and Lamnatzeach, Tehillim 67, often printed in the shape of a menorah, after lighting and in the morning prayers.
Chag HaBanot
In North African communities, especially from Tunisia and Libya, Rosh Chodesh Tevet during Chanukah is Chag HaBanot, the festival of daughters, honoring the courage of Yehudit. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, December 10.
Sfinj and fried treats
Moroccan families fry sfinj, a light doughnut dipped in honey or sugar. Iraqi and Persian families make zengoula and other fried sweets, and many make fritters with cheese in memory of Yehudit.
Sephardic Chanukah questions
Do Sephardim light one menorah per family?
Yes. Sephardim follow the Shulchan Aruch, and one menorah is lit for the whole household by the head of the home. Ashkenazim follow the Rema, and each person lights.
Do Sephardim sing Maoz Tzur?
Maoz Tzur is mainly an Ashkenazi custom, though many Sephardic families sing it too. Many Sephardim say Tehillim 30 and Tehillim 67 after lighting.
What is Chag HaBanot?
A North African custom, especially from Tunisia and Libya, honoring daughters and the courage of Yehudit on Rosh Chodesh Tevet during Chanukah.
What is sfinj?
A Moroccan doughnut, fried and dipped in honey or sugar, made on Chanukah and other happy days.
Customs differ between communities. Follow your family’s minhag, and ask your Rav.
Sources: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 671
The Bait Aaron Chanukah guide
More for Chanukah
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