The first menorah candle you light each night is the newest candle for that night, starting with the one on the left (as you face the menorah), using the shamash (helper candle).

Basic rule

  • Place the candles in the menorah from right to left , adding one new candle each night.
  • Then light them from left to right , so the first one you light is always that night’s newly added candle.
  • You always light the shamash first and use it to light the other candles; it does not count as one of the eight.

Night-by-night examples

  • Night 1:
    • Place one candle on the far right plus the shamash.
* Light the shamash, then that single right-hand candle (it’s also the left-most because it’s the only one).
  • Night 2:
    • Place two candles: first in the right-most holder, then the second to its left.
* Light the shamash, then light the **left** candle (the new one), then the right candle.
  • Later nights:
    • Keep adding one new candle to the left each night.
* Always light the shamash, then start with the **left-most** (newest) candle and move right.

Why this order?

  • The practice is explained as “placing from right to left, lighting from left to right,” so the newest miracle of Hanukkah is honored first each night.
  • This follows a principle of increasing holiness and beauty in the mitzvah by emphasizing what is newly added that evening.

TL;DR: Load candles right to left, but light them left to right; the first menorah candle lit (after the shamash) is always the newest, left-most candle for that night.