Ask The Rabbi

Ask The Rabbi

category: Holidays

Age for lighting Chanukah candles

The Rav Name: Rabbis of the Da’at Institute

From which age is a boy allowed to light Chanukah candles, and at which age should he begin if he has not done so already?

Boys are to be educated (as part of the mitzvah of chinuch) to light their own Chanukah menorah from age six onwards.

A boy younger than six may light in order to partake in the mitzvah (and this is the custom), but there is no obligation of the mitzvah of chinuch.

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