Hanukkah begins soon! Do you remember the correct way to place and light the candles on the menorah?

First, here's a quick refresher of the basics of the holiday:

“Technically a ‘menorah’ has seven branches while a chanukah menorah, or chanukiyah, has nine branches, for eight candles and one shamash,” said Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Williamstown.

Thomas Bernard, left, listens as Rabbi Rachel Barenblat speaks during the annual menorah lighting in the Dr. Arthur Rosenthal Square on West Main Street in North Adams across from City Hall, in front of the Christmas tree, in 2021.

There is one candle for each night of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, which sits in the middle, is known as the shamash, which translates to attendant or servant candle. This candle is lit first and is used to light the others.

While it’s technically incorrect to call the 9-branch candelabra a menorah, it’s become more acceptable over time.

The candles are typically lit just after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather, except on Friday nights when the candles should be lit before the sun sets. Candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes before being extinguished, although, many will prefer to let candles burn until they extinguish themselves. The menorah should be placed on a table near a window, and preferably to the left side of the door.

When placing the candles of the menorah, work from right to left. The menorah has one candle for each night of Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight nights. There will be an extra candle in the middle, known as the shamash, which is used to light the other candles.

Light the shamash candle first before giving the blessings. Then, take this candle in your hand and light the others, working from left to right. The most recent candle gets the light first.

Use fresh candles each night. On the first night, you will need two candles, one as the shamash and one for the first night of the holiday. The second night you will add one candle, so you will have a total of three. The third night has four candles, the fourth night has five candles, and so on. Because the candles must burn for a minimum of 30 minutes, you should expect to go through an entire box of 44-count Hanukkah candles by the end of the eighth day.

Once you have your menorah, the candles, a light source, a copy of the blessings (if needed) and your family and friends, you’re ready to begin. The candle lighting should be done while standing, if you're able, and can be performed by anyone regardless of age or gender. Here are instructions, transcribed and edited from Chabad.org.

1. Begin by placing the shamash in the middle. Then place the candles for each night of the holiday from right to left. The candle of the first night will be placed on the far right, and the candle for the second night will be placed in the position to the immediate left of the first. No need to place the other candles until they are needed until the following nights.

Rabbi Eli Mallon shared this poster he created with a helpful poem to remember the correct order to place and light the candles.

2. Once all the candles that are needed are placed, it’s time to light the shamash. You may use matches or lighter, but only light this middle candle for now.

3. Put down the flame source and pick up the shamash with either hand. Begin to recite the appropriate blessings.

4. Once the blessings are finished, begin lighting the candles, from left to right, using the shamash and not the matches or lighter. By lighting the candles left to right, the newest night gets the newest light.

5. And that’s it. Reminder to keep the lit flames within sight for safety reasons. The menorah should not be moved while lit. If a flame accidentally goes out, it’s okay to relight it.

(This story was originally posted Nov. 29, 2021 and has been updated for 2025.)