One candle is added to the menorah each night. The first night, you light only the shammus (servant, the one at a different height) and one Chanukkah candle. By the eighth night, you light all of the candles.

Candles should be added to the menorah from right to left (like Hebrew writing). The shammus candle is lit first. While holding the shammus candle, recite the following blessings. They are usually sung, using the tunes indicated by .

Blessing over Candles

Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe

asher keed'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l’had’lik neir shel Chanukkah (Amein) to light the candles of Chanukkah (Amen)

Blessing for Chanukkah

Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe

she-asah neeseem la-avotaynu ba-yameem ha-heim ba-z'man ha-zeh who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time

(Amein) (Amen)

Shehecheyanu (first night only)

Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe

she-hecheeyanu v'keey'manu v'heegeeyanu la-z'man ha-zeh (Amein) who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season (Amen)

After reciting the blessings, use the shammus to light the Chanukkah candles from left to right (newest to oldest).

Candles should be left burning until they go out on their own. They must burn for more than half an hour. Standard Chanukkah candles burn for about an hour.

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