The Laws Of Chanukah - part 2 vol.2 no.28
Olive oil is the preferred fuel to use for lighting a Chanukah menorah. It produces a clear, bright flame and the miracle of Chanukah occurred with olive oil. One may also use wax candles whose flame is clear and bright. Electric lights are not acceptable to be used for the mitzva.
The proper time for lighting
There are different opinions among the halachic authorities as to the optimum time to light the Chanukah menorah. One who wants to fulfill the mitzva according to as many opinions as possible may light about 20 minutes after sunset making sure there is enough oil to keep the menorah burning until a half an hour after the stars appear. If one can only light after the optimum time he may still light the entire night with the proper blessings. However, if no one else will be awake to see the lights it is best not to make the blessings. If one did not light he cannot make it up by lighting an extra light the following nights.
If one foresees that he will not be able to light after sunset for the entire evening, he may light from plag hamincha, a halachic hour and a quarter before night. He has to put in enough oil, or have long enough candles to allow the menorah to remain lit until a half an hour into night. It should be noted that most regular wax Chanukah candles and many oil menorahs do not normally burn for such a long time. Therefore one should make special arrangements that at least one flame will burn for the necessary time.This is especially a concern when lighting before the Sabbath.
The Chanukah menorah is lit before the Sabbath candles Friday afternoon. If a woman lit the Sabbath candles first she cannot light the Chanukah menorah afterwards since women generally accept the sanctity of the Sabbath when they light the Sabbath candles. However, if a man lit Sabbath candles and did not have intention to accept the sanctity of the Sabbath upon himself he may still light the Chanukah menorah until sunset.
There is a difference of opinion whether to first light the Chanukah menorah or to perform havdalah at the conclusion of the Sabbath. One should follow his personal custom or ask the advice of a competent halachic authority. The menorah should not be used as a havdalah candle. One should consult a competent halachic authority regarding the various halachic times mentioned in this issue.
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