1. One must be meticulous about kindling the Chanukah lights, for the miracle is publicized through them. Our Sages said that one who is meticulous about kindling mitzvah lights – which includes Chanukah lights – merits having children who will become Torah scholars. (Shulchan Aruchand Mishnah Berura, section 671)
2. The basic Halacha is that it is enough to light one candle per night. The mehadrin(those who are most scrupulously observant) add an additional light on each subsequent night (i.e., one on the first, two on the second, etc.), finally kindling eight lights on the eighth night. Among Ashkenazi Jews the custom is that each member of the family kindles these lights individually; among Sephardic Jews, only the head of the household kindles them. (ibid.)
