Q: What if a person is sleeping away from home but is not eating in the same place that he is sleeping in- where does he light?
A: It is preferable that he light in the place that he eats. If this is too difficult he may light where he will be sleeping.
Q: Where should one who leaves his home light on that day?
A: If one leaves before lighting time, one should light at one’s destination. If one leaves after lighting time, one should light at home before one leaves.
Q: Where should one who returns home light?
A: If one leaves before lighting time, one should light at home. If one leaves after lighting time, one should light in the place he has been staying at.
Q: What about a person who returns home on Saturday night after being away for Shabbat?
A: One who intends to return home immediately after Shabbat should light at his own home. In such a case, every effort should be made to arrive home as quickly as possible. If one intends to stay a while where one was for Shabbat before returning home then such a person should light at the place he has been staying at over Shabbat.
Q: If one is staying in a hotel where should one light?
A: If the hotel permits, one should light in his room because this is considered his (temporary) home. In such a case, it is praiseworthy to eat at least one meal in one’s room. If he must light in the communal dining room according to the hotel’s policy, he can also fulfill his obligation by lighting there.
Q: What does a person who is travelling through the night do regarding lighting the Menorah?
A:
- One who begins his journey after Plag haMincha (1 1/4 hours before sunset) should light before leaving.
- If one leaves before Plag haMincha but will arrive at one’s destination before dawn, one should alight on arrival.
- If one leaves before Plag haMincha and will arrive at one’s destination after dawn, one should light while travelling.
Q: In what cases may one light while travelling?
A: The following conditions must be fulfilled:
- One has a bed to sleep in.
- One is paying for the journey (e.g. train).
- One does not hold the Menorah but puts it down somewhere.
- There is no potential fire hazard.
If all these conditions are met one should light with blessings even if he can only light one candle. If not all of the conditions are met, one is exempt from lighting.
