You place the candles in one direction, and you light them in the opposite direction. The newest candle is always lit first.
Basic rule
On each night of Chanukah, place the candles in the menorah from right to left as you face it.
When you light them, start with the newest candle (the one you just added) on the left and then move to the right.
Step-by-step lighting
- Put the shamash (helper) candle in its special higher or separate holder.
- Place that night’s Chanukah candles: first night one candle on the far right; each new night add one more to the left.
- Light the shamash, say the blessings, then use the shamash to light the Chanukah candles.
Order each night
On every night, light the newest candle first (the left‑most one you just added).
After lighting that one, continue lighting the remaining candles toward the right, using only the shamash to light them.
