Tonight, on the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night’s candle(s)/light(s). The newest candle/light is always lit first.

Before lighting the candles, light the Shamash (the extra “servant” candle) and then the following blessings are recited:

Ba’ruch ah’tah Ah’do’nai, Eh’lo’kay’nu melech ha’o’lam, ah’sher kidishanu b’mitz’vo’tav v’tzee’vanu l’hahd’leek nayr shel Chanukah.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has made us holy through His commandments, and has commanded us to light the Chanukah light.

Ba’ruch ah’tah Ah’do’nai, Eh’lo’kay’nu melech ha’o’lam, sheh’asah neesim la’avotaynu, bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who wrought miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.

The third blessing is recited on the first night only (or the first time Chanukah candles are lit):

Ba’ruch ah’tah Ah’do’nai, Eh’lo’kay’nu melech ha’o’lam, sheh’heh’cheh’yanu v’kee’manu v’hee’gee’anu la’zman ha’zeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

–Translation reproduced with permission from The Koren Sacks Siddur, © Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.

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