You always light the newest Hanukkah candle first, starting with the left‑most candle (not counting the shamash), using the shamash to light it.

Basic rule

  • Place the candles in the menorah from right to left as you face it.
  • Light them from left to right, so the newest candle (added for that night) is lit first.
  • The shamash (helper candle, usually raised or set apart) is lit first and then used to light all the others.

What this looks like each night

  • Night 1:
    • Put one candle in the far‑right holder plus the shamash in its special spot.
* Light the shamash, say the blessings, then light that single right‑most candle with the shamash.
  • Night 2 and on:
    • Add that night’s new candle to the left of the previous ones, so the newest candle is always the left‑most.
* Light the shamash, say the blessings, then light the **left‑most** (newest) candle first and continue to the right.

Why the order matters

  • Lighting the newest candle first emphasizes the idea of increasing light and holiness each night of Hanukkah.
  • The shamash is kept separate because it serves the others and is not counted among the eight Hanukkah lights.

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