The Obligation of Women in lighting the Chanukah Menorah

Question:

What is the obligation of Women in lighting the Menorah?

Discussion:

The Halacha is that women are obligated in lighting the menorah just as men are. The reason for this is that they too benefited by the nais (675:3). However, the accepted custom is that once a woman is married she fulfills her obligation with the lighting of her husband. The reason for this is because of the concept of “Ishto K’gufo” (M.B. 675:9). If a woman would want to light her own menorah then she would be able to, she should just have in mind not to be included in the lighting that her husband is doing.

One question that comes up is if a woman has an obligation to light the menorah as well and today the custom is that every member of the house lights for himself, why don’t unmarried women light their own menorah? One answer that is given is that in the times of the Gemara when the candles where lit outside near the public street the unmarried women would not go out to light as this was not modest. Therefore, the custom became that women do not light the menorah for themselves but rather join in with the father (Chasam Sofer Tra. Shabbos).

Another answer that is given is it is disrespectful for the daughter to light a menorah if her mother is not lighting one. According to this reason if a person is a widow and has daughters at home, they should all light their own menorahs (Mishmeres Shalom).

Summary:

Women are obligated in lighting the menorah just as men are since they also benefited from the nais. However, the accepted custom is that a married woman fulfills her obligation with her husband. A single girl would fulfill her obligation with her father as well.