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category:  Holidays

Girl lighting Chanukah candles

The Rav Name: Rabbis of the Da’at Institute
  • Question

Shalom Rabbi,
I have a question concerning my daughter, who’s eight years old and wants to light a Menorah for Chanukah like her brother. Is it permitted to let her light the Chanukah candles? If not, how can I her explain it to her?

  • Answer
Although girls can light Chanukah candles if they wish, Chabad custom is that only the men/boys light (unless a woman is at home alone, in which case she must light).

One of the reasons given is that lighting the Chanukah candles was initially meant to be done outdoors, therefore the obligation was placed on the men.

If a girl insists that she wishes to light, she is allowed to light.

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