To light a Hanukkah menorah: place the candles right to left, adding one each night, with the shamash set apart from the rest. Recite the blessings, then light the newest candle first and move left to right. The candles need enough fuel to burn thirty minutes past nightfall. Here is the full process, blessing by blessing, verified against Chabad.org.
What Is the Shamash?
The shamash, Hebrew for "helper" or "attendant," is the candle used to light all the others. It is not one of the eight Hanukkah lights and does not count toward the nightly total. It is placed apart from the main row, usually higher or off to the side, so it is visually distinct and cannot be mistaken for one of the eight. A proper Hanukkah menorah, called a hanukkiah, has nine branches for exactly this reason: eight for the nights, one for the shamash.
How Do You Place the Candles?
Candles are added right to left. On the first night, place one candle on the far right of the menorah. On the second night, add a new candle to its left, so you now have two candles filling the two rightmost positions. Each following night, you add the next candle moving further left, until all eight positions are filled on the eighth night. The lamps or candles should sit in a straight row and be of equal height, so no single night's flame appears more important than another's.
How Do You Light the Candles?
Lighting goes in the opposite direction from placement. Use the shamash to light the newest candle first, the one you just added that night, then proceed from left to right, lighting the rest of that night's candles in order. The blessings are recited before lighting, holding or having already lit the shamash.
What Are the Three Hanukkah Blessings?
Two blessings are said every night. A third is said only on the first night.
Blessing 1, said every night:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner Chanukah.
"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light."
Blessing 2, said every night:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim hahem bizman hazeh.
"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time."
Blessing 3, first night only:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higi'anu lazman hazeh.
"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to this season."
That third blessing, the Shehecheyanu, is a general blessing of gratitude said at the start of many Jewish holidays and milestones, not unique to Hanukkah, which is why it only applies to the first night of this one.
Where Should You Place the Menorah?
The central point of the whole ritual is pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle, so the menorah is meant to be seen. The common custom is to place it in a doorway, often across from the mezuzah, or on a windowsill facing the street. If it sits on a windowsill, tradition holds it should be no higher than about 20 cubits, roughly 29 feet, above street level, so it stays visible rather than disappearing into the dark above eye line. Apartment living and local fire codes mean plenty of families place the menorah on an interior table near a window instead, which is a widely accepted adaptation.
How Long Do the Candles Need to Burn?
The lamps or candles must contain enough fuel, at the time of lighting, to burn for at least thirty minutes after nightfall. Standard Hanukkah candles are sized for exactly that window on an ordinary weeknight. On Friday nights, which in 2026 means both December 4 and December 11, the candles are lit earlier in the day, before sundown, so they need to be larger or longer-burning to still be lit thirty minutes past nightfall. Our Hanukkah dates guide lists the upcoming dates and which nights fall on Shabbat.
Candle Safety Tips
- Light the menorah on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, paper, or anything flammable.
- Never leave burning candles unattended, especially with young children or pets in the house.
- Keep a window cracked or a fire extinguisher nearby if your menorah sits near fabric or wood.
- Consider an electric or battery menorah for a child's room or a dorm where open flame is not allowed.
- Let candles burn down and extinguish naturally rather than blowing them out early, since the thirty-minute rule is part of the mitzvah.
Candles or Oil?
Either is valid, and the choice comes down to custom and convenience. Oil lamps are, if anything, closer to the original miracle, since the story in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b) describes a cruse of oil, not a wax candle. Some families, particularly those following certain Hasidic customs, light with olive oil and wicks specifically for that reason. Most American households use wax candles because they are simpler to set up, more widely available, and easier to extinguish safely. Both fulfill the same obligation.
Customs That Vary by Community
The core structure, right to left placement, left to right lighting, the blessings, is shared broadly across Jewish communities. Beyond that, plenty varies. Some households let each family member light their own menorah rather than one per home. Many Sephardic and Mizrahi families have their own melodies for Hanerot Halalu, the song often sung after lighting. Some communities are stricter about the exact timing after sundown, while others light any time after dark once the household is gathered. If you are a guest at someone else's table this year, it is always fine to ask how their family does it. For the fuller history behind the holiday these customs come from, see our Hanukkah holiday page, and for menorahs and candles before the first night, our Hanukkah gift guide has options ready to ship.