Maariv Prayer for Those Delayed in Lighting
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Question
I usually light Hanukkah candles at sunset, but yesterday I was delayed on the way and arrived home only at nightfall, and immediately lit the candles. Later, I was told that I should have prayed Maariv first. Is this correct, or since my obligation to light was already half an hour earlier, should I have lit before Maariv?
Answer
Shalom and Happy Hanukkah
You should have prayed Maariv before lighting, as by the time you arrived to light, the obligation of prayer, which is more 'frequent', had already arrived.
However, if there is a specific Maariv minyan that you regularly pray with, you are permitted to light before Maariv.