In what order do we light the Chanukah candles?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

Library » Holidays » Chanukah » The Laws | Subscribe | What is RSS? PRINT EMAIL COMMENT On the first night we light the candle on the far right side of the Menorah, and every night thereafter we add a candle to the left of that. However, when we light on the second night, and all the subsequent nights, we start by lighting the (new) left candle and then we move left to right, lighting the others candles. In other words, the candles are positioned on the right side of the menorah but we light from left to right.1 Footnotes 1. Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim, 676:5. ADD A COMMENT Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in). COMMENTS Chanukia's lighting order Posted by: David on Dec 05, 2004 Is there are any significance to that order? Thank you, David Editor's Comment The candles are placed on the right side because in all areas of Halachah, preference is always given to the right side (see Why is the mezuzah attached to the right doorpost?). However, we start lighting with the newest candle in order to emphasize the greatness of the Chanukah miracle. For each new candle demonstrates that the oil miraculously lasted yet another night. read more less Perhaps this is a better way to word the Chanukah lighting procedure. Posted by: Berekhyahu Mainz, Miami, Fl on Jan 01, 2006 Special note: The number of flames that are lit are counted from right to left, but the lighting sequence is from left to right. read more less Email to a friend Post a comment cancel Loading...