DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 888 KB)
Hanukah: How Do Guest Light?

The Halacha discusses how a guest should fulfil the Misva of Hanukah lighting in his host's home. In general, the guest should participate in the cost of the wicks and oil of his host by giving him a coin and thereby become a partner in his lighting. The most common case today is when married children spend a few days in their parent's home during Hanukah. Is this also considered a classic case of a guest, in which they must share the expense of their parent's Menorah lighting. Hacham Ovadia rules that since the children are being hosted in every aspect- sleeping, eating etc. they are not considered guest, but rather members of the family. Therefore, they do not have to make a monetary arrangement with the head of the household.

Hacham Bension concurs with this, based on the opinion of the GInat Veradim (Rabbi Avraham Ha-Levi, Egypt) who holds that the Halacha of a guest applies only to instances in which the guest is paying for his room and board; that is why he must also pay for participating in the Hanukah light. Nevertheless, Hacham Bension holds that it is praiseworthy to take the stricter opinions into account and give the host a coin to participate.

If the guests are a family, it is sufficient that just the father gives money to participate in the Misva. If he would light for himself, everyone else would be subsumed under him, so too they are included in his monetary participation.

It is not necessary for the head of the household to add extra oil on behalf of the guests who gave him money, although the Mishna Berura cites opinions that do require it, and that is also the opinion of the Kaf HaHaim (Yaakob Haim Sofer, 1870-1939 Jerusalem). In any event, the money given only designates a small portion of the oil for the guest. He is not buying the entire cup, or even half of it.

SUMMARY
Married children visiting their parents on Hanukah are not required to give them money to participate in the lighting, although it is praiseworthy to do so.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Should One Stand During the Hazzan’s Repetition of the Amida?
Sukkot – Reciting “Le’sheb Ba’Sukka” Over “Mezonot” Food
Sukkot- Is the Beracha Over the Sukka Ever Recited Without Eating a Meal?
The Misva of Arabot on Hoshana Rabba
May a Mourner Participate in the Hakafot on Simhat Torah?
Succot: Kiddush on the First Night
Succot- a Dry Etrog
Sukkot – Should One First Pick Up the Lulab, or the Etrog?
May One Ask a Non-Jew to Replace Sechach or Rebuild a Sukka on Shabbat or Yom Tob?
Succot- May One Use a Grafted Etrog?
What if the Pitom Breaks?
Shaving and Haircutting Before Yom Tob; Restrictions That Apply on Hol Ha’mo’ed
Basic Laws of Taking the Arba Minim
Succot – The Significance of the Ushpizin
Succot- Choosing from the Many Brands of Etrogim
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found