Chanukah Candle Lighting Times

My Personal Notes on Chanukah Candle Lighting Times:

Based on the insights from Rabbi Shimon Eider’s “Halachos of Chanukah” and Rabbi Zev Hofstedter’s “Kitzur Halachos Chanukah & Purim’” and various internet articles, I’ve compiled some key points about candle lighting times for my personal reference.
I’m sharing these in hopes they might be useful to others:

Opinions and Practices of Great Sages:

  1. Rambam zt”l: Light candles at Shkiah (sunset).
  2. Tur zt”l and Shulchan Aruch zt”l: Light at Tzeit Hakochavim (nightfall).
  3. Aruch Hashulchan zt”l: Generally accepted to light at Tzeit Hakochavim, though some light at Shkiah.
  4. Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l: Lit at Shkiah, ensuring candles last until a half-hour after Tzeit Hakochavim.
  5. Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l: Light 15 minutes after Shkiah in Israel.
  6. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l: Lit candles 13-18 minutes (some sources say 10 minutes) after Shkiah in New York.
  7. Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l: Lit 25-30 minutes after Shkiah in New York.
  8. Rav Yaakov Kaminetzsky zt”l: Lit about 20 minutes after Shkiah in New York.

Personal Chanukah Lighting Strategy (Excluding Erev/Motzei Shabbos):

  1. When Davening at Mincha/Maariv Minyan: First daven Maariv after Shkiah, then light candles at home according to Rav Kotler’s timing, as this aligns with my father’s practice. Ensure candles have enough oil to last 30 minutes post-Tzeit Hakochavim.
  2. When Davening Maariv at Tzeit Hakochavim: Light candles after Shkiah but before Maariv, ideally following Rav Kotler’s timing, with sufficient oil for 30 minutes after Tzeit Hakochavim.
  3. If Tzeit Hakochavim Passed and I have not Davened Maariv or Lit Candles: Prioritize davening Maariv, then light the candles.

Lighting  the Menorah on Erev and Motzei Shabbos:

Erev Shabbos (Chanukah): 

  • Ideal timing: Light Chanukah candles just before Shabbos candle lighting. Shabbos candle lighting time is 18 minutes before shkiah. 
  • Use enough oil to last until at least 30 minutes after Tzeit Hakochavim.
  • Shabbos candles should always be lit after the menorah.
  • However, if one’s wife lights Shabbos candles first, a husband can still light the menorah. (Of course, before shkiah.)
  • Davening an early Minchah before menorah lighting is preferred, but lighting prior to Mincha is allowed if needed.

Motzei Shabbos: 

  • Light menorah after tzeit hakochavim and Ma’ariv.
  • Havdalah at home: There are different minhagim. I recite Havdalah first and then light the menorah.