Hanukkah Candles for Someone Returning from Abroad
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Question
I need to return from the USA on Wednesday, the first night of Hanukkah. The flight departs from the USA at 2:30 PM [on Wednesday] US time and arrives in Israel the next day [Thursday] morning at 6:00 AM. What should I do about lighting the Hanukkah candles?
Answer
If you have a wife who lights at home, you fulfill your obligation through her lighting on your behalf. If you do not have a wife lighting on your behalf at home, appoint an agent to light in your home. On the second day, when you light, recite the 'Shehechiyanu' blessing before the other blessings and fulfill it with a new fruit.
Source
See Shabbat (23a) where the blessing for one who sees was instituted for those on a ship who cannot light, and in our times, this applies to those flying on an airplane, as the airplane is not their home, thus exempting them from lighting on the plane [even if there is a layover, there is no place where they can be obligated to light the candles]. Therefore, if his wife lights for him, he fulfills his obligation through her lighting, as explained in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, Siman 677. However, if no one lights for him, he is exempt.
Regarding lighting on the second day, there is a dispute among the poskim whether one whose wife lights for him fulfills the obligation with the 'Shehechiyanu' blessing or only with the act of lighting. The opinion of the Magen Avraham, as ruled by the Mishnah Berurah (Siman 676, Se'if Katan 7), is that he does not repeat the blessing. However, the opinion of the Pri Chadash and Aruch HaShulchan, according to the method of the Bach, is that even if someone lit for him, he should bless 'Shehechiyanu' himself, and therefore it is appropriate to fulfill this blessing with a new fruit.
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