All men light the Menorah. Boys are also trained to do so from a young age.
Women are obligated to light the Menorah. Practically, a married woman fulfils her obligation through her husband’s lighting, and a girl fulfils her obligation through her father’s lighting. Therefore, they should be present when the Menorah is lit, and they should have in mind to fulfil their obligation. Even very young girls should be present when the Menorah is lit. For this reason, the Menorah lighting should be scheduled at a time when everyone can be present. [Nevertheless, they have still fulfilled their obligation even if not present.]
In the following circumstances, a woman should recite the Brachot and light the Menorah herself:
- An unmarried woman who does not permanently live with her father. [This includes seminary girls.]
- A woman who is temporarily away from her family home and husband/father, and she is not guesting with someone who is lighting the Menorah, e.g. she is in a hotel, hospital, or empty home.
- A woman who remains at home, but her husband/father is away for the night.
A woman who is temporarily away from her family home and husband/father, but she is guesting with a host who is lighting the Menorah, she automatically fulfils her obligation through her father’s/husband’s lighting at the family home, unless:
- It is daytime in her time-zone when her husband/father lights Menorah.
- Her husband/father is away from the family home and lighting elsewhere.
In these two cases, the woman should participate in her host’s lighting by sharing in the expenses of the oil and wicks, and she should also be present when the Menorah is kindled.
