On Ereb Shabbat Hanukah, we light the Hanukah candles before the onset of Shabbat, as kindling a flame is of course forbidden on Shabbat.
The Kaf Ha’haim (Rabbi Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939), in Siman 671 (79), cites the ruling of the Maharash Abuhab (cited in Birkeh Yosef 671:2; listen to audio recording for precise citation) that one should recite Minha on Ereb Shabbat Hanukah before lighting the Hanukah candles. The Minha service corresponds to the afternoon "Tamid" offering that was brought in the Temple before the kindling of the Menora. Therefore, we should first recite Minha and only then light the Hanukah candles, which are symbolic of the lighting of the Menora in the Mikdash. On Ereb Shabbat Hanukah one should thus try to recite Minha early in the afternoon, rather than reciting Minha after he lights the Hanukah candles.
However, if one does not have the opportunity to pray Minha with a Minyan before lighting Hanukah candles, then he should recite Minha with a Minyan after lighting. As Hacham Ovadia rules in his work Hazon Ovadia, the preference for reciting Minha before candle lighting should not come at the expense of reciting Minha together with a Minyan. Therefore, only if one can pray Minha early with a Minyan should he pray before lighting the Hanukah candles. Otherwise, he should light Hanukah candles and then go the synagogue to pray Minha with a Minyan.
The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 679) rules that one should light the Hanukah candles on Ereb Shabbat Hanukah before lighting the Shabbat candles (listen to audio recording for precise citation). If a woman mistakenly lit the Shabbat candles before her husband lit the Hanukah candles, the husband can and must still light the Hanukah candles; the wife’s lighting of the Shabbat candles does not affect the husband. In fact, if the woman normally lights the Shabbat candles on condition that she does not yet accept Shabbat, then even she may light the Hanukah candles, as she has yet to begin Shabbat.
Earlier (673:2; listen to audio recording for precise citation), the Shulhan Aruch addresses the case of one whose candles were somehow extinguished after he lit them on Ereb Shabbat Hanukah, before the onset of Shabbat. There is a rule known as "Kabeta Eno Zakuk La," which means that once a person lit the Hanukah candles in a place and manner that normally allows them to burn for at least a half-hour, he has fulfilled his obligation, even if they are extinguished within a half-hour. Strictly speaking, then, one need not rekindle the Hanukah lights in such a case. The Shulhan Aruch rules that this applies even on Ereb Shabbat, if one’s candles are extinguished before Shabbat has begun. Even though the actual time of the Misva (nightfall) has not yet arrived, one has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation, since he lit the candles at the time established by the Sages. This ruling is based upon the position of the Terumat Ha’deshen (work by Rabbi Yisrael Isserlin, 1390-1460), as cited in the Bet Yosef.
It should be noted that a number of authorities, including the Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles, Poland, 1525-1572) and the Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), write that it is preferable to rekindle a flame that extinguishes. Even though one is not, strictly speaking, required to do so, it is proper to relight the candle, but without reciting a Beracha.
What is the proper procedure for lighting Hanukah candles on Mosa’eh Shabbat?
The Shulhan Aruch (681:2) writes that in the synagogue, the Hanukah candles should be lit on Mosa’eh Shabbat prior to the recitation of Habdala. One reason for this Halacha is the concern that many people would leave immediately after Habdala, and therefore if Habdala would be recited first, few people would remain for the Hanukah candle lighting. The congregation should thus first light the Hanukah candles to ensure Pirsumeh Nisa – publicizing the miracle. Additionally, it is always preferable to delay the end of Shabbat as much as possible, and so the congregation should first light the Hanukah candles in order to postpone the recitation of Habdala.
Regarding the proper practice in the home on Mosa’eh Shabbat Hanukah, different views exist among the authorities as to whether one should first light the Hanukah candles or recite Habdala. The more recent Halachic authorities generally rule that one may follow either practice, as both are firmly grounded in Halachic sources. It should be noted, however, that in our community the more prevalent practice seems to be reciting Habdala before the Hanukah candle lighting. The Kaf Ha’haim records that this was the practice in Jerusalem, and this is also the ruling of the Ben Ish Hai, in Parashat Vayesheb (21).
