The candles are placed in one direction but lit in the opposite direction. The simple rule many people use is: “Place right to left, light left to right.”
Basic order
- Put the menorah (hanukkiyah) where you will light it, with all candle spots in a straight line and the shamash (helper candle) set apart or higher.
- On night one, place one candle in the far-right holder (as you face the menorah). On each later night, add one new candle to the left, so the newest candle is always the leftmost.
Which way to light
- After placing the candles, light the shamash first, then use it to light the Hanukkah candles.
- Begin lighting with the newest candle (the leftmost one) and then move toward the right, so you light from left to right each night.
Simple summary rule
- When setting them up, add candles from right to left.
- When actually lighting, always start with the newest candle on the left and move to the right.
