There is a documented custom for women to refrain from certain types of activity during the first half-hour after candle lighting on each of the eight days of Hanukah. This custom applies to activities that are forbidden on Hol Ha’mo’ed, such as sewing, needlepoint, laundry and ironing. These kinds of activities, which Halacha forbids on Hol Ha’mo’ed, should be avoided during the first half-hour that the Hanukah candles burn. Other activities, however, are permissible. If the Hanukah candles are lit around suppertime, for example, a woman may cook and prepare food immediately after candle lighting.
It should be noted that if clothes were placed into the washing machine and it was turned on before candle lighting, one may allow the cycle to continue running during the half-hour after candle lighting.
There is also a custom that appears in some sources for women to refrain from such activities throughout the eight days of Hanukah. However, the Mishna Berura (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) cites the Hacham Sevi (Rabbi Sevi Ashkenazi, 1656-1718) as strongly denouncing this custom. Prolonged inactivity can lead to boredom, which can then, in turn, easily lead to sinful behavior, and the Hacham Sevi thus maintained that it would be improper to have women refrain from ordinary household activities for all eight days of Hanukah. But during the first half-hour after candle lighting, it is proper for women to follow this custom and refrain from the kinds of activities mentioned above.
Summary: During the first half-hour after the Hanukah candles are lit, it is proper for women to refrain from sewing, needlework, laundry, ironing, and other activities that are forbidden on Hol Ha’mo’ed. Other kinds of chores, such as cooking, are allowed during this half-hour period.
