What menorah to light
I. To publicize which night of Hanukah it is, the menorah must easily display how many candles have been lit. Therefore, all 8 candle holders on the menorah should be at the same height -- and preferably in a straight line. Otherwise, the candles may not be easily distinguishable and may appear as more like "one big torch."

II. In addition to the main 8 lights, each Menorah has an extra helper candle called the "Shamash" (the taller helper candle which is used to light the Menorah). Since we are forbidden to use the Hanukah lights for any purpose other than viewing, this way any benefit is as if coming from the Shamash.

III. The Shamash does not count as one of the regular 8 lights, your Menorah should have the Shamash set apart in some way -- either placed higher than the other candles, or significantly off to the side.

What candles to light
I. The most important thing is that your candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. (Those famous colored candles just barely qualify) Many Jewish bookstores sell longer colored candles.

II. Actually, it is even better to use olive oil -- since the miracle of the Maccabees occurred with olive oil. Many Jewish bookstores even sell kits of pre-measured oil portions in disposable cups. These cups can simply be placed in the candle holders of any standard menorah.

Where to light
I. To best publicize the miracle, the Menorah should be lit in a window facing the public thoroughfare.

II. If for some reason the Menorah cannot be lit by the window, it may be lit inside the house on a table; this at least fulfills the good-deed of "publicizing the miracle" for the members of the household.

III. Since the good-deed occurs at the actual moment of lighting, the Menorah must be lit in a proper place. Moving the Menorah to a proper place after lighting does not fulfill the good-deed.

When to light
I. The Menorah should preferably be lit immediately at nightfall. It is best to wait, until all the
members of the household are present. This adds to the family atmosphere and also maximizes the good-deed of "publicizing the miracle". However, the Menorah can be lit late into the night, as long as people are still awake.

II. The Menorah should remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall, during which time no use should be made of its light.

III. On Friday afternoon, the Menorah should be lit 18 minutes before sundown. And since the Menorah needs to burn for 30 minutes into the night, the candles used on Friday need to be bigger than the regular "colored candles" (which typically don't burn longer than a half-hour).

I. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right (as you face the Menorah). Another candle is placed for the Shamash (the taller helper candle which is used to light the Menorah). It is not counted as one of the candles.

II. The second night, place the Shamash, plus two candles in the two far-right positions -- and light the left one first.

III. The third night, place the Shamash plus three candles in the three far-right positions -- and light them in order, from left to right.

IV. Follow this same procedure each night of Chanukah.

Each family member lighting should recite the blessings. If there is one adult lighting, the rest of the family should watch & listen to the blessings and respond "amen" after each blessing.

Getting ready...

We first light the Shamash. (the tall candle which is used to light the Menorah)
Then we recite the two blessings. (On the first night we recite three blessings)

Blessing 1...
English:	Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Phonetic Hebrew:	Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Hebrew:

Blessing 2...
English:	Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.
Phonetic Hebrew:	Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam she'asah nisim lavotaynu bayamim hahaym bazman hazeh.
Hebrew:

Blessing 3...First night only.
English:	Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Phonetic Hebrew:	Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam she-he-cheyanu vekimanu vehigiyanu lazman hazeh.
Hebrew:

...We light the menorah

Then we conclude each night with a final paragraph.

Final Paragraph English: We kindle these lights For the miracles and the wonders for the redemption and the battles Which You performed for our forefathers. - In those days at this season Through Your holy priests. - During all eight days of Chanukah These lights are sacred And we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them But only to look at them In order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name For Your miracles, Your wonders, and Your salvations. Phonetic Hebrew: Ha-nerot ha-lalu anach-nu mad-likin Al ha-nissim vi-al hanif-laot Al ha-tshu-ot vial ha-milchamot She-asita la'avo-teinu Ba-yamim ha-heim, ba-zman ha-zeh Al ye-dey kohan-echa haki-doshim. Vi-chol shmonat ye-mey Chanukah Ha-nerot ha-lalu kodesh heim, Ve-ein lanu reshut li-heesh-tamesh ba-hem Ela leer-otam bilvad Kedai le-hodot u-li-hallel li-shimcha Al ni-secha vial niflo-techa vial yeshua-techa. Hebrew:

Happy Hanukah!!