The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 671) codifies the practice to light candles in the synagogue each night of Hanukah, which serves the purpose of "Pirsumeh Nisa" (publicizing the miracle). The candles are customarily lit between Minha and Arbit each night of Hanukah. The one who lights the candles in the synagogue recites all the Berachot.
The Menora in the synagogue is placed along the southern wall, running east-west, just as the Menora in the Bet Ha’mikdash was positioned. The authorities debate the question of where the individual should stand as he lights the Hanukah candles in the synagogue. The practice of the Sepharadim, as documented by Rabbi Yaakov Haim Sofer (Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939) in his Kaf Ha’haim (671:69), is to face the southern wall and light the candles from east to west (meaning, from left to right).
One does not fulfill his obligation of Hanukah candles through the lighting in the synagogue; even the one chosen to light the candles in the synagogue must light again when he returns home, and recite the Berachot. On the first night, however, if the one who lights in the synagogue lives alone, he does not repeat the Beracha of "She’heheyanu" when he lights at home. If he has a wife and/or other adult family members living with him, then he recites "She’heheyanu" on their behalf at home, even though he had already recited it in the synagogue. In the reverse case, where one lit candles at home on the first night and then went to the synagogue where he is chosen to light the candles, he recites "She’heheyanu" over the synagogue lighting, even though he had already recited this Beracha at home.
It is customary to offer the privilege of lighting the candles in the synagogue to a visitor, who would otherwise not personally light Hanukah candles, as he does not stay in his own home.
A mourner should not light the Hanukah candles in the synagogue on the first night of Hanukah within twelve months after a parent’s passing, as it is improper for him to publicly recite the Beracha of "She’heheyanu." This is the ruling of the Kaf Ha’haim (671:73). At home, of course, a mourner indeed recites the Beracha of "She’heheyanu."
On Ereb Shabbat, the congregation must ensure to light before sundown, in order to avoid Shabbat desecration.
It is customary to light the Hanukah candles on Ereb Shabbat after Minha, just as in the Bet Ha’mikdash the kindling of the Menora took place following the afternoon "Tamid" offering, which we commemorate through the Minha service. However, the Shela (Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz, 1565-1630) ruled that this custom does not supersede the value of praying with a Minyan. Therefore, if praying Minha before Hanukah candle lighting would require one to pray privately, he should first light the Hanukah candles and then pray Minha with a Minyan. This ruling is cited by the Kaf Ha’haim.
Sometimes on Ereb Shabbat people do not come on time to the synagogue, and it can happen that a Minyan has not yet arrived by the time the Hanukah candles must be lit. The Mishna Berura (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) maintains that the synagogue candles may be lit with the Berachot so long as a Minyan is expected to arrive at some point while they burn. However, the Kaf Ha’haim (671:79) ruled that the Berachot may not be recited without a Minyan. In such a case, then, when a Minyan has not yet arrived by sundown, one should light the Hanukah candles in the synagogue without a Beracha.
The authorities discuss a case where the hour is late on Ereb Shabbat and the Hazan is given the honor of lighting the Hanukah candles before Minha. If the congregation is rushing to recite Minha on time, the Hazan may light one candle and then ask somebody else to complete the lighting so he can begin Minha without further delay. Generally speaking, however, as the Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) writes, it is improper to allow somebody else to finish the candle lighting, as this gives the appearance that one finds the Misva burdensome. The exception to this rule is that one may allow a child to kindle the "Shamosh," which is not actually one of the Hanukah candles.
