On the first night of Chanukah we make three berachot before lighting the menorah: L'hadlik Ner Chanukah, She'asah Nisim and Shehechiyanu. What would be the Halacha in case where someone’s wife lit for him on the first night and recited all three berachot? For example, he had to stay late in the office and told his wife to light with the kids. On the second night, when he lights, does he now say the beracha of Shehechiyanu?
Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), rules that he does not say Shehechiyanu. He has fulfilled his obligation with his wife’s beracha. For that matter, if the wife wasn't at home on the first night, and the husband lit, she does not have to make a Shehechiyanu on the second night.
SUMMARY
If either the ba’al ha’bayit or the ba’alat ha’bayit lit and made a Shehechiyanu on the first night, the rest of the household has fulfilled their obligation to say Shehechiyanu, even if they were not present.
