The Laws of Chanukah vol. 3, no. 33
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.
On the first night of Chanukah we light the light at the right side of the menorah. On each of the following nights 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, She’osa nisim, and Sehecheianu. 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 after the blessings.
If a person will not be to light the entire evening, we learned in the previous issue that he may light from plag haminchah, a halachic hour and a quarter, before night. However, it is preferable to appoint someone to light for him in the proper time. For instance someone’s wife or other household member may light for him. Someone who will be traveling during the time for lighting should appoint someone to light for him in the proper time, but he should also light at his destination without a blessing. If he is a guest in a hotel or travelling in a train compartment he should light in his room if it would not constitute a danger or disturb others.
