An Elderly Man Whose Son Lights Candles on His Behalf
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Question
An elderly man who is bedridden and his son comes to light Hanukkah candles for him. The father very much wants to recite the blessings at the time of his son's lighting. Can the father recite the blessings, or only his son who is the agent to light?
Answer
According to Halacha, the agent who performs the mitzvah is the one who recites the blessing, but if the sender wishes to recite the blessing, there is a basis to rely on.
Source
Rambam (Berachot, Chapter 11, Halacha 10-14); Mishnah Berurah (Siman 678, Seif Katan 1); Kaf HaChaim (Siman 676, Seif Katan 13); Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Vayeshev, Year 1, Halachot Chanukah, Ot 6); Pri Chadash (Orach Chaim, Siman 432, Seif Katan 1) that the sender can bless - Nehar Shalom (there, Seif Katan 5) who disagrees with Pri Chadash; Shu"t Alef Lecha Shlomo (Orach Chaim, Siman 110); Mishnah Berurah (Siman 263, Seif Katan 21); Mishnah Berurah (Siman 432, Seif Katan 10); Mishnah Berurah (Siman 677, Seif Katan 9).