- Question: [Wednesday, 23rd Kisleiv 5781]
I am in the year of mourning for my mother r”l and regularly pray for the Amud. I would like to know if I should be the one to light the Hanukkah candles in shul after Mincha or not. Is there any issue for mourners to do so?
Answer:
There is no issue for you to light the candles with exception to the first night, due to the blessing of Shehechiyahu of which a mourner is not to say publicly, and thus although you are certainly to say it when you light at home on the first night, you should not be the one delegated to saying it publicly by the first lighting in shul.
Sources: See Maharam Mintz 43; Taz 671:8; P”M 671 M”Z 8; Machazik Bracha 671:9; Chayeh Adam 154:17; Derech Hachaim 4; M”B 671:44; Shaareiy Teshuvah 671:7; Kaf Hachaim 671:73; See also regarding Megillah: M”B 692:1; Derech Hachaim 2; Kaf Hachaim 692:7
Other opinions: Some Poskim permit the Avel to recite Shehechiyanu even by a public lighting. [Olas Shmuel 106 that he has not seen the world be careful in this matter; Teshuvah Meahava 2:286; Mishmeres Shalom ibid; Gesher Hachaim 23:4; Beis Yitzchak Yoreh Deah 2:158; Minchas Elazar 2:32; See Nitei Gavriel 37:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 692:6]
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