how do you light a menorah

You light a Hanukkah menorah by placing candles (or oil cups) from right to left, saying the blessings, then using the shamash (helper candle) to light the other lights from left to right, adding one new light each night of the eight days of Hanukkah.

What you need

• A Hanukkah menorah (9 branches: 8 in a row plus a separate shamash).

• Candles or oil and wicks that can burn at least about 30 minutes after nightfall.

• A safe, steady, non-flammable surface, away from curtains and where it won’t be knocked over.

Where and when to place it

• Common custom is to place the menorah in a window or near a doorway so the light is visible to others, symbolically “publicizing the miracle.”

• Lights are usually kindled after nightfall and should burn at least about half an hour into the night.

• Many communities light at home with everyone gathered around for the moment of lighting.

Setting it up each night

• Put the shamash in its distinct spot (often higher or separate from the row).

• On night 1, place one candle in the far-right holder of the 8-candle row as you face the menorah.

• Each new night, add one new candle to the left of the previous ones, so you “fill” the menorah from right to left.

How to actually light it

1. Gather everyone by the menorah and stand for the blessings.

2. Light the shamash first and hold it in your hand.
3. Recite the Hanukkah blessings (three on the first night, then usually two on subsequent nights; many communities say Shehecheyanu only on the first).

4. Use the shamash to light the Hanukkah candles, always starting with the newest candle (the left-most one that you just added) and then moving to the right.

5. Put the still-lit shamash back in its holder and let all the candles burn down on their own (do not blow them out).

Simple way to remember:
Place candles right to left, light candles left to right (using the shamash).

Extra notes and traditions

• Many people sing songs (like Maoz Tzur) or say the Hanerot Halalu passage right after lighting.

• On Friday night of Hanukkah, those who keep Shabbat light the menorah before the Shabbat candles, early enough that the Hanukkah lights will still burn into the night.

• Oil menorahs, especially with olive oil, are often considered ideal because they echo the original oil miracle, but candles are widely used and fully acceptable.

TL;DR: Set the menorah in a safe, visible place, add one candle each night from right to left, say the blessings, then use the shamash to light that night’s candles from left to right and let them burn for at least about 30 minutes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.