If a person who is traveling during Hanukah needs to leave for the airport before the time for candle lighting, and will arrive at his destination after the time for lighting in that location, is there some way for him to fulfill the Misva of Hanukah candle lighting that night?
The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 672) writes that the preferred time for lighting the Hanukah candles is “Mi’she’tishka Ha’hama” (literally, “when the sun sinks”). Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that the Shulchan Aruch uses this term in reference to Set Ha’kochavim (nightfall), which occurs thirteen minutes after sunset. According to our custom, then, the preferred time for lighting the Hanukah candles is thirteen minutes after sundown.
The Shulhan Aruch then adds that “Yesh Mi She’omer” – “there is somebody who says” – that if one will be unable to light at this time or later, then he may light the Hanukah candles earlier, already from the time of Pelag Ha’minha. During the Hanukah season, Pelag Ha’minha is generally around 3:30 in the afternoon. This opinion mentioned by the Shulhan Aruch – which the Bet Yosef brings in the name of the Orhot Haim (Rav Aharon of Lunel, France, late 13th-early 14th century) – allows lighting Hanukah candles already at this time, if one will be unable to light later.
The question arises as to whether the Shulhan Aruch accepts this ruling of the Orhot Haim. Normally, there is a rule that in a case of “Stam Va’yesh” – where the Shulhan Aruch plainly states a Halacha, and then brings a different opinion with the words “Yesh Mi She’omer” – Halacha follows the first opinion (the “Stam”). At first glance, then, we might assume that the Shulhan Aruch does not accept the Orhot Haim’s position, which he cites with the words “Yesh Mi She’omer” after plainly ruling that candle lighting must be performed only after nightfall. However, the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his Birkeh Yosef, writes that in this instance, it seems that there aren’t two differing opinions. The Shulhan Aruch first establishes that the proper time for lighting is Set Ha’kochavim, and then adds, citing the Orhot Haim, that one who cannot light at that time has the option of lighting earlier, from the time of Pelag Ha’minha. Moreover, the Hida notes, this view is held not only by the Orhot Haim, but also by several other Rishonim, such as the Ran and the Rashba. Therefore, we should follow this opinion, and allow one to light at Pelag Ha’minha if he will be unable to light at the regular time.
Interestingly, in a later work, the Hida questions his conclusion. In his Kiseh Rahamim, the Hida writes that contrary to his analysis in Birkeh Yosef, it is quite possible that the Shulhan Aruch indeed intended to bring two different views, in which case we must follow the first opinion. Thus, one would not be allowed to light earlier than Set Ha’kochavim, even if he will be unable to light at the proper time. Likewise, the Shulhan Gavo’ah (Rav Yosef Molcho, Greece, 1692-1768) writes that the Rambam did not accept the Orhot Haim’s opinion. As such, he rules, since there are differing views, one who cannot light at the proper time should light at Pelag Ha’minha but without reciting the Berachot, as we do not recite a Beracha in situations of uncertainty (“Safek Berachot Le’hakel”).
By contrast, both the Peri Hadash (Rav Hizkiya Da Silva, 1659-1698) and the Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1938) maintain that a person who has no choice but to light at Pelag Ha’minha recites the Berachot when lighting. Some writers note that there are two precedents for lighting Hanukah candles before sundown with the Berachot. First, on Friday of Hanukah, we of course light the Hanukah candles before sundown, though this might be an exceptional case, since, quite obviously, it is forbidden to light candles once Shabbat begins. Secondly, candles are lit in the synagogue each night of Hanukah immediately after Minha, even before sundown, with the Berachot. These examples might lend support to the view allowing one to light the candles with the Berachot even before sundown when he has no possibility of lighting at the proper time.
In any event, Hacham Ovadia Yosef ruled that given the Halachic uncertainty about the validity of lighting earlier than the proper time, one who must light early should not recite the Berachot.
Thus, in the case of a person who must leave to the airport before the time for candle lighting, if he can light at Pelag Ha’minha (around 3:30pm) or later, then he should do so, but he should not recite the Berachot over this lighting. He must ensure to supply enough oil to sustain the flames until a half-hour after Set Ha’kochavim. Whereas generally Halacha requires merely ensuring that the candles burn for a half-hour, in this instance, where one lights before sundown, he must add extra oil, because the candles must burn until a half-hour after the proper time for lighting (just like when we light before sundown on Ereb Shabbat). Additionally, the individual in this case must recite Minha before lighting the Hanukah candles. By lighting the candles, he establishes that night has already fallen, and he would thus be contradicting himself if he recites Minha – the afternoon prayer – after lighting.
It must be clarified that this entire discussion refers to a case of a person who is traveling with his entire family. But if someone is remaining at home, then that person should be assigned the job of lighting at the proper time on behalf of the family.
(Based on Hazon Ovadia – Hanukah, p. 69, note 4)
Summary: The preferred time for lighting Hanukah candles is thirteen minutes after sundown. If a person must leave on a trip before then, and will not arrive at his destination in time for that night’s lighting, then if a member of his household is remaining home, that family member should light on the family’s behalf at the proper time. If the entire family is traveling, then the person should light earlier, from the point of Pelag Ha’minha (around 3:30pm during the season of Hanukah). In such a case, he does not recite the Berachot over the lighting. He should recite Minha before lighting, and he must supply enough oil for the candles to burn until a half-hour after the time for lighting (meaning, until around 45 minutes after sundown).