Lighting the Menorah: Right to Left or Left to Right?: 1 Minute to Understanding Menorah Lighting

The menorah is a central symbol of Hanukkah, and lighting it follows a special tradition that often sparks questions—even among those who grew up celebrating the holiday. If you find yourself wondering whether to light the menorah candles from right to left or left to right, you're in good company. According to Jewish tradition, the placement and lighting of the candles each night has deep symbolic meaning. Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (as you face it). However, when it comes time to light them, you reverse the order: you light the newest candle first, going from left to right. This means on the first night, there's only one candle on the far right. On the second night, you'd add a candle to its left (the middle, if it's a small menorah), and so forth. Light the most newly placed candle first, then continue lighting the others, moving toward the right. Using a designer's mindset, this ritual has a beautiful flow—a visual narrative unfolding across the menorah each night of Hanukkah. Like a well-crafted room sequence, each candle is intentionally placed and illuminated, reinforcing both tradition and thoughtful arrangement. For those interested in exploring how lighting—cultural or decorative—can transform a space and create mood, digital tools like 3D render home models allow you to experiment and visualize custom menorah displays or other holiday-themed room lighting in your own home.

Tips 1:

If you find yourself uncertain where to start, remember: place candles in from your right, light them starting from your left. This simple mantra helps maintain both the tradition and the rhythm of the Hanukkah celebration, while giving your home that memorable glow for guests and family alike.

FAQ

Q: Why are the Hanukkah candles placed right to left but lit left to right?

A: This tradition honors the addition of new miracles each night. We place the candles from right to left (oldest to newest), but light from left to right (newest to oldest), always giving precedence to the newly added light.

Q: What is the correct positioning for the menorah itself?

A: The menorah should be placed in a prominent window or doorway, facing outwards to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah.

Q: What does the "shamash" candle do?

A: The shamash, usually set apart from the other candles, is used to light all other candles each night and isn’t counted as one of the eight.

Q: Can I use electric or LED menorahs?

A: Traditional mitzvah lighting is done with real flames—wax or oil—but electric menorahs can supplement or be used where open flames are unsafe or prohibited.

Q: How can lighting design elevate my Hanukkah decor?

A: Thoughtful placement of room lighting, including menorahs, sets mood and draws attention to ritual areas—design software and visualization tools can help plan these effects for maximum impact.