The Laws of Chanukah vol. 3, no. 34
Students living away from home who share a common eating area (e.g. yeshiva students)
light in the common eating area according to some authorities, or in their rooms
according to others. If it is not possible to light in the coomon eating area
(e.g. a college campus) they light in their rooms according to all opinions.
If the entire family leaves town before plag
haminchah but will return that night they should light when they return. If they
will not return that night they should light at their destination.
If one will be staying at someone else’s home
the duration of Chanukah, even in the same city, he should light there, even if he
returns to his home periodically during the day. Even if one will only be staying
overnight at another’s home, even in the same city, he may light
there.1 If he does not have a menorah and no one is lighting on his behalf at
his home, he should give the host a minimal amount of money to acquire a share in the
oil. The host should then have his guest in mind when he lights the menorah.
If one spent Shabbos away from home and plans
on returning home after Shabbos he should consult an halachic authority as to whether he
should light at his host’s home or at his own home when he returns after
Shabbos.
One who is taking an afternoon flight and will be
flying during the time for lighting should try to light before he leaves if it is after
plag haminchah. If he is leaving before plag haminchah he should appoint a family member
to light for him, even if he will stop over in an airport at some time in the evening.
According to many authorities he can not fulfill the mitzvah by lighting in the
airport, and it is not likely he can light candles on the airplane.
The halachos regarding lighting when traveling 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
asses his particular situation.
