How to Light the Menorah

Print-Friendly Menorah Lighting Guide PDF

For the current Hanukkah 2026 dates and Shabbat-specific lighting times, follow the updated night-by-night guide below.

Lit Hanukkah menorah showing how to light the menorah candles Lighting the Menorah is the central mitzvah of Hanukkah. We light the Hanukkah Menorah, also called a hanukkiah, to remember the miracle celebrated when the Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

According to Jewish tradition, when the Maccabees restored the Temple service, they found only one small flask of pure olive oil suitable for lighting the Temple Menorah. There was enough oil for only one day, but miraculously it continued burning for eight days.

Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is therefore celebrated for eight nights. Each night we add another Hanukkah light until all eight are burning, together with the shamash, the helper candle used to kindle the others.

There are three blessings said before lighting the Menorah on the first night of Hanukkah. On the subsequent nights, we say the first two blessings. The third blessing, Shehecheyanu, thanks G-d for allowing us to reach this occasion and is recited the first time you light the Hanukkah Menorah that year.

For another beautiful connection between two mitzvot of the Jewish home, read about what the Mezuzah has to do with Hanukkah.

Download the How to Light the Menorah PDF

Want a printable copy of the menorah lighting instructions? Use the link below to open our print-friendly Hanukkah Menorah guide. Keep in mind that exact candle-lighting times vary by location, and the updated Hanukkah 2026 dates and special Friday night and Saturday night instructions are listed on this page.

Download the Menorah Lighting PDF

How to Light a Hanukkah Menorah

If you're wondering how to light a Menorah, the basic pattern is simple. On the first night, place one Hanukkah candle in the right-most position of the Menorah. Each following night, add the new candle immediately to the left of the candles from the previous night. When lighting, begin with the newest candle, the left-most one, and continue from left to right.

Prepare the Hanukkah candles before the proper lighting time
Add the candles from right to left, beginning with the right-most position on the first night
Light the shamash and use it to light the Hanukkah candles
Say the appropriate Menorah blessings before lighting the Hanukkah candles
On the first night, say all three blessings; on nights two through eight, say the first two
Light the newest candle first, proceeding from left to right
Recite or sing Hanerot Hallalu after beginning the lighting
The Hanukkah lights are sacred and are not used as ordinary household light

Many families also sing Maoz Tzur after lighting. Customs can vary between communities and families, so follow your own minhag where applicable.

Hanukkah 2026 Menorah Lighting Dates

Hanukkah 2026 begins on Friday evening, December 4, 2026, and concludes after nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Because both the first and eighth candle lightings fall on Friday this year, those Menorahs must be lit before Shabbat candles. The second night begins Saturday evening and should be lit only after Shabbat has ended.

Important: Exact sunset, nightfall, Shabbat candle-lighting and Shabbat-ending times depend on your location. Use the appropriate local Jewish calendar or follow the times provided by your synagogue or rabbi.

First Night of Hanukkah

Friday, December 4, 2026: Light BEFORE sunset and BEFORE the Shabbat candles.

Because the first night of Hanukkah 2026 falls on Friday, prepare the Menorah early and make sure your candles or oil will last long enough to continue burning after nightfall.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around. The mitzvah of the Menorah is to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with one Hanukkah candle in the right-most position.
Take a second candle to serve as the shamash, or helper candle. The shamash is used to light the Hanukkah candle and remains burning in its own special position, set apart from the other lights.
With the lit shamash in your hand, say blessings numbers 1, 2 and 3 below.
Light your single Hanukkah candle.
Place the shamash in its special position where it is visibly separate from the other candle.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu below. You can also sing a traditional Hanukkah song such as Maoz Tzur.
If possible, spend a little time around the Menorah reflecting on the lights and the miracle of Hanukkah.

First night Hanukkah menorah with one candle and shamash

Second Night of Hanukkah

Saturday, December 5, 2026: Light after Shabbat has ended according to your local time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with two candles in the two right-most positions.
The new candle for the second night is placed immediately to the left of the first night's candle.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle, the left candle, first. Then light the candle to its right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You may also sing Maoz Tzur or another traditional Hanukkah song.
If possible, stay around the Menorah for a while and enjoy the growing Hanukkah light.

Setting up two candles for the second night of Hanukkah Second night Hanukkah menorah with two candles lit

Third Night of Hanukkah

Sunday, December 6, 2026: Light after sunset according to your local custom and time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with three candles in the three right-most positions.
Place the newest candle to the left of the two candles from the previous night.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle, the left-most candle, first. Continue lighting from left to right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, spend some time enjoying the Menorah and thinking about the meaning of its light.

Preparing three candles for the third night of Hanukkah Lighting the newest candle first on the third night of Hanukkah Third night Hanukkah menorah with three candles lit

Fourth Night of Hanukkah

Monday, December 7, 2026: Light after sunset according to your local custom and time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with four candles in the four right-most positions.
Place the newest candle immediately to the left of the other three.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, stay around the Menorah for a while and enjoy the growing light.

Preparing four candles for the fourth night of Hanukkah Fourth night Hanukkah candle placement Lighting Hanukkah candles from left to right on the fourth night Fourth night Hanukkah menorah with four candles lit

Fifth Night of Hanukkah

Tuesday, December 8, 2026: Light after sunset according to your local custom and time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with five candles in the five right-most positions.
Place the newest candle immediately to the left of the other four.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle first and continue from left to right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Tonight there are more lit Hanukkah candles than unlit positions. The light has overtaken the darkness.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, stay around the Menorah for a while and reflect on the Hanukkah lights.

Preparing five candles for the fifth night of Hanukkah Fifth night Hanukkah menorah candle arrangement Lighting the newest Hanukkah candle first on the fifth night Lighting five Hanukkah candles from left to right Fifth night Hanukkah menorah with five candles lit

Sixth Night of Hanukkah

Wednesday, December 9, 2026: Light after sunset according to your local custom and time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with six candles in the six right-most positions.
Place the newest candle to the left of the other five.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, spend a little time around the Menorah and reflect on the Hanukkah miracle.

Preparing six candles for the sixth night of Hanukkah Sixth night Hanukkah candle placement Lighting the newest candle first on the sixth night of Hanukkah Lighting Hanukkah candles from left to right on the sixth night Six Hanukkah candles being lit in order Sixth night Hanukkah menorah with six candles lit

Seventh Night of Hanukkah

Thursday, December 10, 2026: Light after sunset according to your local custom and time.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Prepare your Menorah with seven candles in the seven right-most positions.
Place the newest candle to the left of the other six.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle first and continue lighting from left to right.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, stay around the Menorah for a while and enjoy the light together.

Preparing seven candles for the seventh night of Hanukkah Seventh night Hanukkah candle arrangement Lighting the newest candle on the seventh night of Hanukkah Lighting seven Hanukkah candles from left to right Seventh night Hanukkah menorah lighting instructions Seven candles being lit on a Hanukkah menorah

Eighth Night of Hanukkah

Friday, December 11, 2026: Light BEFORE sunset and BEFORE the Shabbat candles.

The final Hanukkah lighting also falls on Friday in 2026. Prepare the Menorah early, light before the Shabbat candles, and use candles or enough oil to keep the Hanukkah lights burning into the required nighttime period.

Gather your family, roommates, friends or anyone else around to publicize the Hanukkah miracle.
Fill all eight Hanukkah-light positions in your Menorah.
The eighth and newest candle is placed at the far left of the other seven.
Light the shamash and say blessings numbers 1 and 2 below.
Light the newest candle, the far-left candle, first. Continue lighting from left to right until all eight Hanukkah lights are burning.
Place the shamash in its special position.
Sing or read Hanerot Hallalu. You can also sing Maoz Tzur.
If possible, stay around the fully lit Menorah for a while and take in the light of all eight nights of Hanukkah.

Preparing eight candles for the eighth night of Hanukkah Eighth night Hanukkah menorah candle arrangement Lighting the newest candle first on the eighth night of Hanukkah Lighting the Hanukkah menorah from left to right on the eighth night Lighting all eight Hanukkah candles Eight-night Hanukkah menorah lighting sequence Hanukkah menorah nearly fully lit on the eighth night Fully lit Hanukkah menorah with all eight candles and shamash

Hanukkah Menorah Blessings

The following blessings are recited before lighting the Hanukkah Menorah. On the first night, or the first time you light the Menorah that Hanukkah, say all three blessings. On the remaining nights, say blessings 1 and 2.

Menorah Blessings in English

1. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting FAQs

Quick answers about candle order, lighting direction, timing, the shamash and the Hanukkah blessings.

How do you light a Hanukkah menorah?

On the first night of Hanukkah, place one candle or oil light on the far right side of the menorah. Each night, add one new light to the left. When lighting, begin with the newest candle on the left and continue toward the right. In simple terms: add the candles from right to left, but light them from left to right.

What time do you light the Hanukkah candles?

The Hanukkah menorah is generally lit around or after nightfall, although specific customs differ. The candles or oil should contain enough fuel to remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. On Friday, the menorah is lit before Shabbat begins; on Saturday night, it is lit after Shabbat ends.

Which direction do you light the menorah?

The Hanukkah candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, adding a new candle on the left each night. They are then lit in the opposite direction, from left to right, beginning with the newest candle.

How many candles do you light on each night of Hanukkah?

Light one Hanukkah candle on the first night, two on the second night, three on the third, and continue adding one each night until all eight Hanukkah lights are burning on the eighth night. The shamash is separate and is not counted among the eight mitzvah lights.

What is the shamash candle on a menorah?

The shamash, meaning “servant” or “attendant,” is the additional candle used to light the other Hanukkah candles. It is placed apart from the other eight lights, often higher or in a separate position, so it is clearly distinguishable from the candles used for the mitzvah.

What blessings do you say when lighting the menorah?

Two blessings are recited before lighting the Hanukkah menorah each night: the blessing for kindling the Hanukkah lights and the blessing thanking G-d for the miracles performed for our ancestors. On the first night, a third blessing, Shehecheyanu, is also recited. The full Hebrew, English translation and transliteration are included in our menorah lighting guide above.

Do you light the menorah differently on Friday night?

Yes. When Hanukkah falls on Friday, the menorah must be lit before Shabbat begins and before the Shabbat candles are lit. The Hanukkah candles should contain enough oil or use candles large enough to remain burning until at least 30 minutes after nightfall.

When do you light the menorah on Saturday night?

On Saturday night during Hanukkah, the menorah is lit only after Shabbat has ended. Customs can vary regarding the order of Havdalah and menorah lighting, so follow your family or community custom.

Where should a Hanukkah menorah be placed?

The menorah is traditionally placed where its light can help publicize the Hanukkah miracle. Common locations include a window facing outside or near a doorway. Some traditions place the menorah opposite the mezuzah at the entrance.

Can you use an electric menorah for the Hanukkah mitzvah?

An electric menorah is useful for decoration and publicizing Hanukkah, but according to traditional halachic practice it does not replace lighting a menorah with actual flames fueled by candles or oil for the mitzvah.