The Laws Of Chanukah - part 3 vol.2 no.29
On the first night of Chanukah we light the light at the right side of the menorah. On each following night we add another light to the left of the preceding light. We light the new light first and then consecutively the lights to its right.
On the first night three blessings are recited; L'hadlik ner shel chanukah, Sh'asa nisim, and Shehecheianu. The following nights only the first two blessings are recited. These blessings should be recited immediately before the actual lighting of the menorah lights. The shammash should be lit before the blessings in order that the menorah can be lit without undue delay between the blessing and the lighting. We are accustomed to say the declaration Haneros halalu after lighting the first light each night as the rest of the lights are being lit. There are customs to recite the song Maoz Tzur or certain chapters of Psalms after the menorah lighting.
Lighting when away from home.
If a person will not be home at the optimum time for lighting and will not be able to light the entire evening we learned in the previous issue that he may light from plag hamincha, a halachic hour and a quarter before night. However it is preferable to appoint someone to light for him in the proper time. For example, his wife or other household member may light for him. Someone who will be travelling away from home during the time for lighting should appoint someone else to light for him at the proper time, but he should also light at his destination without a blessing. If he is a guest in a hotel he should light in his room if it would not constitute a danger.
If the entire family leaves town before plag hamincha but will return that night they should light when they return. If they will not return that night they should light at their destination.
Students who share a common eating area (e.g. yeshiva students) generally light in the common eating area. They can also light in their rooms.
The above halachas are governed by many different factors. Therefore someone who will not be home during the proper time of lighting should consult a competent halachic authority who can properly assess his particular situation.
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