Halacha for Wednesday 17 Kislev 5785 December 18 2024

Some Laws Regarding Lighting Chanukah Candles

The Proper Time to Light
The proper time to light Chanukah candles is at the “emergence of the stars” which is approximately fifteen minutes after sunset this time of year. Some Ashkenazim light Chanukah candles immediately at sunset. If one has not lit at this time, one should light as soon as possible thereafter. Even if one was very delayed, one may light Chanukah candles with a blessing until dawn.

The Obligation to Light
We have already mentioned that the Sephardic custom is that only the head of the household lights Chanukah candles and the rest of the members of the household fulfill their obligation in this manner. The Ashkenazi custom, on the other hand, is that every member of the household light his own Chanukah candles. We have also mentioned that women are obligated in the Mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles as well. Thus, a single woman or a woman whose husband is out of town must light Chanukah candles on her own. Similarly, if a man knows that he will arrive home late at night, he may appoint his wife as his agent to light the Chanukah candles on his behalf and she should subsequently light the candles with a blessing and the husband will fulfill his obligation in spite of the fact that he is not home.

A Child Lighting Chanukah Candles
Since the Mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles applies only to men and women above the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, if a child under this age lights the Chanukah candles, the adult members of the household will not fulfill their obligation through his lighting. One should therefore not allow a child to light the Chanukah candles. Rather, the head of the household should light the first candle and if he wishes, he may allow a child to light the rest of the candles according to the letter of the law (although it is preferable for the father and son to light these candles together). The extra “Shammash” candle may be lit by anyone.

Regarding the law that a child may not light Chanukah candles, some say that a child of twelve years of age may light Chanukah candles (see Zivchei Tzedek, Volume 3, Chapter 41). This law is nevertheless doubtful. Nonetheless, if it happened that a child recited the blessings and lit Chanukah candles, there is no need to extinguish them and light other ones (see Chazon Ovadia-Chanukah, page 49).

Stipulation Regarding the Chanukah Candles
The sanctity of the Mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles rests on the remaining oil and wicks of the Chanukah candles. One must therefore burn them after Chanukah. In order to avoid such a situation, it is appropriate that one stipulate before Chanukah that one does not intend to designate the oil and wicks for the sake of the Mitzvah. In this way, no sanctity will rest on the remaining oil and wicks and one will be free to use it as one wishes.

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer-Continued

In the previous Halacha we have discussed the basic laws of bowing during the Amida prayer, i.e. at the beginning and end of the “Magen Avraham” and “Modim” blessings. We have likewise explained the proper way to bow. Let us now discuss whether or not the custom that many hav......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Concentration During the Amida Prayer - The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer

Question: At what points of the Amida should one bow and what is the correct method of bowing? Answer: Our Sages that one should bow several times during the Amida prayer. The blessings during which one must bow within the Amida are as follows: At the beginning and end of the “Magen Avra......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha


Parashat Bo

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Examining the Significance of Certain Phrases Used Regarding the Plagues, and the Differen......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vaera

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael an......

Read Halacha

The Custom of Spreading One’s Palms Wide Open While Reciting the Verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha”

Question: Is there any basis for the custom of opening one’s hands wide while reciting the verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha U’Masbia Le’Chol Chai Ratzon” or is this an incorrect custom? Similarly, should one rise while reciting “Yishtabach Shimcha” during th......

Read Halacha

Lighting Chanukah Candles on Motza’ei Shabbat and Electric Chanukah Candles

On Motza’ei Shabbat Chanukah, in the synagogue, Chanukah candles are lit first and only following this is Havdala recited in order to delay the departure of Shabbat as much as possible. Although the one lighting the Chanukah candles removes the sanctity of Shabbat from himself, nevertheless, t......

Read Halacha