Place Hanukkah candles from right to left, then light them from left to right. On the first night, the single Hanukkah candle goes in the holder at the far right as you face the menorah. Each following night, add the new candle immediately to the left of the previous night’s candles. After the blessings, light the newest candle first and continue toward the right.
The simplest memory device is: add from the right; light from the new. Your family or community may follow a different custom, so treat this as the widely followed order and use your own tradition when it differs.
The lighting order at a glance
| Night | Where the newest candle goes | Which candle is lit first |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Far right | That single candle |
| 2–7 | To the left of the previous candles | Newest, leftmost candle |
| 8 | Far left; all eight positions are filled | Far-left candle, then continue right |
The Chabad menorah-lighting guide describes this same sequence: add a light to the left each night, then kindle the new light first. The Orthodox Union’s practical guide adds one detail that prevents a common window-placement mix-up: judge left and right from the perspective of the person facing the menorah to light it.
What does the shamash do?
The shamash is the helper used to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Light it, recite the blessings according to your custom, and use it to light the newest candle first. The shamash then returns to its distinct holder, usually higher or set apart from the row.
A clear layout makes this easier. The Classic personalized acrylic menorah has eight matching cups in a straight line and a raised shamash at the centre, so the helper is easy to distinguish. The full personalized acrylic menorah collection includes different silhouettes while keeping the ritual positions visually legible.
A mistake-proof setup
- Face the menorah. Do not reverse the order because it will be viewed from outside a window.
- Start at the far right. Place the first night’s candle there.
- Add toward the left. Each new night’s candle becomes the leftmost light.
- Light the shamash and say the blessings. Then begin with the newest candle.
- Move toward the right. Continue until all of that night’s candles are lit.
Before lighting, make sure each candle sits upright and the menorah is on a level, non-flammable surface away from curtains, paper, greenery and busy edges. Choose the final location first; our guide to where to place a menorah at home covers visibility, stability and household traffic in more detail.
Plan the candles and timing separately
Direction is only one part of a smooth eight-night setup. One menorah uses 44 candles across Hanukkah when the shamash is counted each night. The night-by-night math is in our guide to how many Hanukkah candles you need.
Timing also changes around Shabbat. On Friday, light the Hanukkah menorah before the Shabbat candles and prepare enough fuel for the required period after nightfall. On Saturday, wait until Shabbat has ended; the order of Havdalah and menorah lighting follows family or community custom. See the full Hanukkah candle burn-time guide for the ordinary-night, Friday and Saturday distinctions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you place Hanukkah candles left to right?
No, the widely followed practice is to place them from right to left as you face the menorah. The newest candle is added on the left.
Do you light a menorah left to right?
Yes. Begin with the newest, leftmost candle and continue toward the right. The first night is the exception only in appearance, because there is just one Hanukkah candle to light.
Which side is right when the menorah faces a window?
Use your own right and left while standing in front of the menorah to light it, not the perspective of someone viewing it from outside.
Can family customs use a different order?
Yes. Practices can vary. If your family, synagogue or rabbi follows another custom, use that tradition.
