The shamash, an extra candle lit every night, should be slightly separated from the other candles. Wax candles are common though olive oil is preferable, since the miracle of Hanukkah transpired with olive oil. Electric lights may be used without a blessing where actual flames are not possible. The eight candles of the C hanukiah must be arranged in a straight line, not set in a semicircle. The C hanukiah’s lights should be level or on an even slant, not some randomly higher than others. The lights of the Chanukiah should be able to burn for at least half an hour. The maximum height of a C hanukiah is around 31 feet. It is recommended to light the Chanukiah in a place where it is visible to the public as the purpose of the lights is to “publicize the miracle”. There is a custom to position the chanukiah by the entrance to one’s home, on the opposite side from the mezuzah, so that when one passes through the door, they are surrounded by mitzvot. Ī candle or oil light is lit every night. It is the custom to light an additional candle every night, so that one is lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on. An extra candle (called the shamash) is lit to the side or above the other candles.
The custom is to light the s hamash first and to use it to light the other candles. It is forbidden to use the candles from the C hanukiah to light each other.
This is to ensure that no benefit is derived from the actual lights of the Chanukiah as they may only be used for the glorification of the holiday.
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