How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah

When is Hanukkah 2026?

Hanukkah 2026 begins on the evening of Friday, December 4, the eve of 25 Kislev 5787, when the first candle is lit. One more candle is added each evening, and the eighth and last candles are lit on Friday, December 11. The festival ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.

Dates from the Hebrew calendar (hebcal.com). Sunset and nightfall times depend on where you live, so check a local calendar.

How many candles do you light each night?

One candle on the first night, adding one each night until all eight burn on the eighth night, plus the shamash every night. This follows the School of Hillel in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b): the light grows night by night, because in matters of holiness we go up, not down. Over the festival that makes 36 candles, or 44 with the shamash.

In which order do you place and light the candles?

Place the candles from right to left and light them from left to right. On the first night, put one candle in the socket at the far right. Each night, add the new candle to the left of the last one, then light the newest candle first and move to the right (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 676:5).

1. Set out tonight's candles, from right to left as you face the menorah.
2. Light the shamash.
3. Holding the shamash, say the blessings.
4. Light the newest candle, on the left, then each one to its right.
5. Put the shamash back in its place, apart from the other lights.
6. Say Hanerot Halalu and, by custom, sing Maoz Tzur.

What are the Hanukkah blessings?

Two blessings are said every night before lighting: one over the mitzvah of kindling the Hanukkah light, and one for the miracles done for our ancestors. On the first night, or the first time you light this Hanukkah, add a third, Shehecheyanu. Say them while holding the lit shamash, just before you light.

Some siddurim read l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah in the first blessing; others, following the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 676:1), read l'hadlik ner Chanukah. Use the wording in your own siddur.

When should you light the menorah?

On weekdays, light at sunset or at nightfall, according to your family's custom, while people are still about to see the lights (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 672:1). If you miss that time, you may still light later in the evening while others in the home are awake. Friday and Saturday night have their own rules, below.

Where should you place the menorah?

Place it where it publicizes the miracle. The Talmud's ideal is outside the front door, on the left as you enter, opposite the mezuzah (Shabbat 22a). Today many families in Israel light at the entrance in a glass box, many abroad light in a window facing the street, and some light inside, by the doorway. Follow your family's custom.

Ideally the lights stand above three handbreadths and below ten from the ground, roughly 25 to 90 cm, though opinions on the exact measure differ. Lights more than 20 cubits, about 10 meters, above the street are not seen from it, so people living high up usually light indoors for their household.

Choosing a menorah, and using it safely

How long must the candles burn?

At least half an hour after nightfall (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 672:2), so use candles or oil that will last that long. During that time the lights are only for looking at, not for reading or any other use, which is one reason for the shamash. Many women have the custom not to do housework while the lights burn.

If a light goes out early, the law does not require you to relight it, though many people do, without a new blessing (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 673:2).

What do you do on Friday, the first night this year?

On Friday, light the Hanukkah candles first and the Shabbat candles after them, all before sunset. Once the Shabbat candles are lit, Shabbat has begun and the menorah can no longer be lit. Use candles or oil that will burn until at least half an hour after nightfall (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 679).

In 2026 this happens twice: on the first night, Friday, December 4, and on the eighth night, Friday, December 11. Shabbat candles are usually lit about 18 minutes before sunset, or 40 in Jerusalem, so light the menorah a few minutes before that. Thin Hanukkah candles may not last until half an hour after nightfall, which on Friday can be well over an hour away, so many families use larger candles or more oil. Put the menorah in a safe place before you light: it should not be moved on Shabbat.

What do you do on Saturday night?

On Saturday night, wait until Shabbat ends. Most families make Havdalah first and then light the Hanukkah candles; others light first and make Havdalah afterward, as many synagogues do (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 681). Follow your family's custom. In 2026, Saturday, December 5 is the second night: two candles plus the shamash.

How to choose a Havdalah set

What are Hanerot Halalu and Maoz Tzur?

Hanerot Halalu, "These lights", is a short passage said after lighting. It declares that the lights are holy and only for looking at, to give thanks for the miracles. Maoz Tzur, "Rock of Ages", is a hymn that many Ashkenazi families sing after lighting. Many Sephardi families say Psalm 30, Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit, instead.

Does everyone light their own menorah?

It depends on custom. The basic mitzvah is one light for each household each night (Talmud Shabbat 21b). Sephardi custom, following the Shulchan Aruch, is one menorah per household; Ashkenazi custom, following the Rema, is for each member of the family to light their own (Orach Chaim 671:2). Women are obligated too, because they were also part of the miracle (Shabbat 23a).

Where several menorahs are lit, set them a little apart so the number of lights on each one stays clear.